About ACECQA

ACECQA is an independent statutory authority.

We provide national leadership in promoting quality and continuous improvement in early childhood education and care and school age care in Australia. 

We are working with state and territory governments and the children's education and care sector to implement changes to education and care that will benefit children and their families. The ACECQA Strategic Plan Overview outlines our goals and values.

We have an ambitious work agenda which includes guiding the implementation of the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care at the national level. The National Quality Framework began on 1 January 2012. Our focus is on improving the quality of early children's education and care services across Australia. We also want to make sure the transition to the National Quality Framework is successful for all involved. 

We will be monitoring and promoting the consistent application of the Education and Care Services National Law across all states and territories. We will also oversee how the National Quality Standard is applied across the country and ensure that services are meeting the new requirements.

We will guide and support the work of state and territory regulatory authorities as they introduce the Framework in their jurisdiction. We will work closely with jurisdictions more broadly, the community and the children's education and care sector to ensure, among other matters, that the services we provide meet the needs and expectations of all stakeholders. We will also work collaboratively with other relevant professional bodies to achieve quality reforms.

One of our many roles is to provide education and raise awareness across the sector and the community. We are committed to undertaking research to ensure governments and the sector are up to date with the latest developments and to enable policy and practice in Australia to be informed by the most current research. 

Karen Curtis is the Chief Executive Officer of ACECQA and our organisation is guided by a 13 member governing Board.