Stronger, mandatory child safety measures have been signed off by every Australian Education Minister to strengthen child safety in early childhood education and care services.
This forms part of the significant progress that has already been made since the release of the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) Review of Child Safety Arrangements under the National Quality Framework.
In July 2024, a new National Code and Guidelines were released that recommended only service-issued devices can be used when photographing and filming children.
From 1 September 2025, further key changes include:
- Mandatory 24 hour reporting of any allegations, complaints or incidents of physical or sexual abuse - down from the current 7 day window
- A ban on vapes in all early education and care services
- Stronger protections around digital technology use, with services required to have clear policies on taking photos and videos of children, parent consent, CCTV practice and using service-issued devices.
Child safety will also be explicitly embedded into the National Quality Standard from 1 January 2026.
ACECQA will issue new guidance and resource materials to support the early education sector implement these changes.
These changes are in addition to the further reforms flagged by the Albanese Labor Government in March this year to crack down on unscrupulous early childhood education and care providers and strengthen integrity across the care economy.
These include measures to:
- Prevent providers who persistently fail to meet minimum standards and repetitively breach the National Law from opening new Child Care Subsidy approved services.
- Take compliance action against existing providers with egregious and continued breaches, including the option to cut off access to Child Care Subsidy funding where appropriate.
- Strengthen powers to deal with providers that pose an integrity risk.
Education Ministers will meet next week to consider additional actions to strengthen child safety in education and care services.
Quotes attributed to Minister for Education Jason Clare:
"The safety and protection of children in early childhood education is our highest priority.
"Australia has a very good system of early childhood education and care, but more can be done to make sure safety guidance and measures are fit-for-purpose.
"That's why Education Ministers are acting on this key recommendation to make sure the right rules are in place to keep our children safe while they are in early education and care."
Quotes attributed to Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Jess Walsh:
"Children's health and safety is paramount at early childhood centres, and these changes will help to ensure that we continue to provide that assurance.
"The Australian Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that children have a positive, rewarding and safe early education experience to get the best possible start in life."
Quotes attributed to ACT Minister for Education and Early Childhood Yvette Berry:
"The safety and wellbeing of children in early childhood education is our highest priority. Access to quality early childhood education sets children up for lifelong learning and success.
"Valuing children and investing in their learning and development requires us also to value and invest in the early childhood workforce.
"I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the Commonwealth, to strengthen the National Quality Framework."
Quotes attributed to Victorian Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn:
"The safety and wellbeing of children is our highest priority - and here in Victoria we work every day to make sure they are safe, supported and ready to thrive.
"We welcome these new changes, and we'll continue to work with the Commonwealth, states and territories to review and improve safety for all children."
Quotes attributed to acting NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos:
"These measures are an important first step. While we work with our colleagues on a national approach, the national law allows states to cater to their own needs.
"NSW welcomes these measures and looks forward to providing additional measures in response to our most recent review."
Quotes attributed to Queensland Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek:
"We must all be persistent in our efforts to strengthen safety measures at childhood education and care services.
"These changes are a step in the right direction, and I welcome this national approach which will ensure Queensland kids are better protected while providing consistency across all states and territories."
Quotes attributed to Northern Territory Minister for Education and Training and Minister for Early Education Jo Hersey:
"The Northern Territory Government welcomes the Child Safety Review, particularly its focus on strengthening supervision and improving the physical environment to keep children safe.
"As part of our commitment to addressing the root causes of crime, we recognise that safeguarding children is fundamental to long-term community safety."
Quotes attributed to Western Australia Minister for Education; Early Childhood Sabine Winton:
"The Cook Labor Government is committed to ensuring the safety of children who attend early childhood education and care services in Western Australia.
"I know there are incredible early learning centres and early childhood educators that help children learn and thrive each and every day.
"I look forward to working alongside the Albanese Labor Government to further strengthen child safety in early childhood education services, to ensure children have the best possible start to life."
Quotes attributed to South Australian Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer:
"I'm pleased to see all states and territories working together to strengthen the regulations around education and care services to ensure children are safe no matter where the live.
"The Malinauskas Labor Government recently provided an extra $7 million to the Education Standards Board to increase and improve regulatory services. This has seen a 63 per cent increase on the previous year in the number of service visits.
"I look forward to meeting with my colleagues next week to discuss in more detail how we can ensure we as state and federal governments are doing everything we can to provide safe and secure environments for our youngest Australians."
