The Albanese Labor Government is taking the next step to strengthen safety in child care, working with States and Territories to consider the development of a national Early Education and Care Commission.
This will be top of the agenda when Education Ministers next meet in July.
With more than one million Australian families relying on early childhood education and care, the system needs to be stronger and safer across the country.
There is nothing more important than the safety of our children.
That is why the Australian Government has invested $226 million to support a package of reforms to lift safety and standards across the sector.
This includes establishing a new National Early Childhood Worker Register, mandatory child safety training for educators, a national CCTV trial in centres, more compliance officers doing unannounced spot checks and banning personal devices in centres.
This is the next possible step to strengthen the early education and care system.
A Commission could also have a role in helping to ensure services are located where families need them.
This could involve the reform of the existing Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
A Commission was a recommendation of the Productivity Commission in its 2024 inquiry report outlining a path to universal early childhood education and care.
The Government has implemented a number of the recommendations already.
The Albanese Labor Government is putting the building blocks of universal early education and care in place and a Commission could help guide that path.
This includes delivering a historic pay rise for early educators through the 15 per cent wage increase and improving access for children from disadvantaged backgrounds through the 3 Day Guarantee.
The Government is also building more early education and care services where they are needed most through the $1 billion Early Education Fund.
Governments will consult with service providers, unions, peak bodies and other stakeholders on the design of a potential Commission.
This is all about building a better, fairer and safer early education and care system.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:
"Child care is an essential service for more than one million Australian families.
"We've cut the cost. We're also driving big reforms to improve access and safety.
"This is the next potential step to drive long-term reform."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Jess Walsh:
"We want Australian children to have access to the quality early learning they deserve.
"We've already taken decisive action to strengthen this important sector, and this is the next possible step in that process.
"A Commission could help ensure early learning services are located where families need them most, while supporting strong standards across the sector.
"It's important we get this right - and that's why we'll be consulting with the sector and other stakeholders on the best way forward."
