Content
FAQs
Assessment and ratings
Where can I get information about the assessment and rating process?
Why do the ratings have to be published?
Where will the ratings be published?
When will my next assessment be?
I am concerned that my child’s service is not meeting the required standards. Who do I tell?
I want to make a complaint about my child’s service. How do I do this?
Why is a service's history considered in the new assessment and rating system?
Communications
Compliance
Do I have to display my accreditation certificate from NCAC?
Is there a list of information that has to be displayed at a service under the National Regulations?
Is there a list of policies and procedures that services need to have under the National Regulations?
Does the nominated supervisor always have to be present at a centre-based service?
Can two Family Day Care residences operate within a single dwelling?
Employment
General
How do I find school starting ages in Australia?
Who can advertise an education and care service?
There has been a change of members on my service’s management committee. Which forms should I use to notify my regulatory authority?
Can I complete and submit the notification and application forms online?
Where can I find my provider and service approval number?
Policy
Publications
Who was included in the scope of the NQF resource kit distribution?
I am a registered service and I have not received my NQF resource kit. How do I enquire about it?
I am an education or training provider, educator or individual and I would like a NQF resource kit. How do I purchase one?
How much do National Quality Framework resource kits cost?
How do I purchase the National Quality Framework resource kit?
I received my NQF resource kit and I want more copies for my service
I was not a registered service at 16 March 2012, how do I get a National Quality Framework resource kit and all the available NQF information?
Additional enquiries about publications
What printed information is available?
How can I get more copies of the guides / how can my organisation get copies of the guides?
Where are the National Quality Standards?
Is there a self-assessment template?
Do the National Law and Regulations have to be accessible on all family day care premises?
Qualifications and training
I would like advice on my qualifications as an educator under the National Quality Framework
I have a degree in primary teaching. Can I be recognised as an early childhood teacher by ACECQA?
How do I apply for teacher registration in an Australian state or territory?
I have an early childhood teaching qualification approved by ACECQA, where can I work?
What courses should I take so that I can work in a child care centre?
Quality Improvement Plans
What is a Quality Improvement Plan?
Who is responsible for the Quality Improvement Plan?
How many Quality Improvement Plans need to be prepared?
What information has to be included in my Quality Improvement Plan?
What should I consider when preparing my Quality Improvement Plan?
Where can I get more information about the Quality Improvement Plan?
When does my Quality Improvement Plan need to be ready?
How do I make my Quality Improvement Plan available?
How long should my Quality Improvement Plan be?
Ratios
I would like advice on educator-to-child ratios at my centre-based service under the National Quality Framework.
What are the educator-to-child ratios under the National Quality Framework?
What are the educator-to-child ratios for excursions?
Assessment and ratings
Where can I get information about the assessment and rating process?
Authorised officers from each state and territory regulatory authority are responsible for assessing and rating services against the National Quality Standard. The Professional Support Coordinator in your state or territory will also be able to help your service prepare for assessment.
Why do the ratings have to be published?
Where will the ratings be published?
When will my next assessment be?
I am concerned that my child’s service is not meeting the required standards. Who do I tell?
I want to make a complaint about my child’s service. How do I do this?
What is the Excellent Rating?
I’m worried that under the new National Law and Regulations I will be subject to fines without being given any warning.
Why is a service's history considered in the new assessment and rating system?
The Guide to Assessment and Rating for Regulatory Authorities has details on the type of background information that will be considered:
The National Regulations outlines a service’s compliance history that must be considered when assessing and rating a service (regulation 63). Reviewing a service’s planning and history helps to familiarise authorised officers with background information about the service.
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provider approval
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service approval
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notifications
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complaints
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investigations
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conditions on provider approval or service approval
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waivers
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inspections
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compliance action
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other intelligence, and
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previous assessment or accreditation visits (where relevant).
Communications
Is there a number I can call for information?
Is there an ACECQA electronic mailing list I can join?
Compliance
Do I have to display my accreditation certificate from NCAC?
- Registered service name
- Full service address
- Contact phone number
- Contact name
- Contact email address
Is there a list of information that has to be displayed at a service under the National Regulations?
Is there a list of policies and procedures that services need to have under the National Regulations?
Does the nominated supervisor always have to be present at a centre-based service?
- Nominated Supervisor
- Certified Supervisor
How many service approvals must I get if I run a family day care service with educators in more than one state or territory?
As a general rule, a family day care service that operates in neighbouring areas across different jurisdictions will need only one service approval. That approval will be from the regulatory authority of the jurisdiction where the service is located (i.e. where the service's principal office is).
In some cases, a service approval in each of the jurisdictions may be the best option for a provider. For example, this could be because:
- the provider is actually operating a separate service in each jurisdiction, or
- the provider deems the educators are too distant from the support they are required to receive and a separate service would reduce the risk of inadequate support or supervision.
It is the responsibility of the provider to decide whether more than one approval is needed, taking into account the level of support available to educators, the number of educators, and their locations in relation to the principal office.
If the provider has only one service approval, but has educators located across multiple jurisdictions, it is very important that they are mindful that any compliance and/or enforcement action taken can impact the operation of their service in all states and/or territories.
If a family day care service engages a new educator in a different state, then the service needs to notify the regulatory authority that issued the service approval within 7 days.
Can two Family Day Care residences operate within a single dwelling?
A family day care (FDC) educator must not educate and care for more than seven children at a family day care residence at any one time.
There may be occasions when a dwelling could include two self-contained residences with an FDC educator operating from each residence. In all cases the approved provider of the family day care service is responsible for assessing and determining the suitability of residences. If the provider assessed a dwelling suitable for two educators, then a regulatory authority would expect to see two residences that are sufficiently self-contained so that there is clear separation of responsibility for the education and care of children in each. For example, there should be separate indoor and outdoor facilities.
The health, safety and wellbeing of the children being educated and cared for is paramount.
Other aspects of the Law and Regulations must be taken into account, including toilet and hygiene facilities, ventilation, and natural light. There are also sometimes local planning or land use rules (administered by other agencies) that the provider would need to consider.
The suitability of FDC residences may be examined during an assessment and rating visit or a compliance check by an authorised officer of the regulatory authority.
Employment
I am interested in applying for a position with ACECQA. How do I apply?
I am interested in applying for a position as an NQF assessor. How do I apply?
General
How do I find school starting ages in Australia?
Who can advertise an education and care service?
and Regulations. Anyone can advertise an approved education and care service without breaking the Law.
There has been a change of members on my service’s management committee. Which forms should I use to notify my regulatory authority?
Can I complete and submit the notification and application forms online?
Where can I find my provider and service approval number?
Your Approved Provider Number and Service Approval Number are available from your local regulatory authority.
Please contact your local regulatory authority as they receive and process the forms. There is a full list of regulatory authority contact details on the ACECQA website.
When applying for a provider approval, who is required to satisfy the fitness and propriety requirements?
In accordance with Section 5 of the National Law, when applying to be an approved provider, an applicant must demonstrate they are fit and proper to be involved in an education and care service. If the applicant is an entity, each person who will have management or control of the service must demonstrate they are a fit and proper person.
It is the responsibility of the provider to determine each individual who will be in management or control of the education and care service. Each of those individuals will need to complete a Declaration of fitness and propriety (PA02) form. The form will need to be submitted with the Application for provider approval (PA01).
Policy
How do I find out about changes the National Law and Regulations will have on my service?
Who can advertise an education and care service?
and Regulations. Anyone can advertise an approved education and care service without breaking the Law.
Publications
Who was included in the scope of the NQF resource kit distribution?
Services that have not received their kit, should email enquiries@acecqa.gov.au and include the following information:
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Full name of service and/or service provider
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Correct street address
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Key contact name, contact phone number and email address
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Date of service approval or licencing of your service
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Please put ‘publication request’ in the subject of your email.
Newly registered services will need to purchase or download National Quality Framework resources from ACECQA. Details on how to purchase additional copies are located here.
I am a registered service and I have not received my NQF resource kit. How do I enquire about it?
- Full name of service and/or service provider
- Correct street address
- Key contact name, contact phone number and email address
- Date of service approval or licencing of your service
- Please put ‘publication request’ in the subject of your email
I am an education or training provider, educator or individual and I would like a NQF resource kit. How do I purchase one?
1. Guide to the National Quality Framework
2. Guide to the National Law and National Regulations
3. Guide to the National Quality Standard
4. Guide to Developing a Quality Improvement Plan
5. Quality Improvement Plan template
How much do National Quality Framework resource kits cost?
How do I purchase the National Quality Framework resource kit?
- Download the NQF resource kit order form from our website
- Complete the order form and nominate your payment method
- If paying by credit card, please phone ACECQA on (02) 8240 4200 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (02) 8240 4200 end_of_the_skype_highlighting between 9:00am and 5:00pm AEST, Monday to Friday and follow the instructions on the order form
- Send your completed order form via email, post, or fax to:
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Postal Address:
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PO Box A292, Sydney, NSW 1235
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Email:
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Fax:
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(02) 8240 4206
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I received my NQF resource kit and I want more copies for my service
I was not a registered service at 16 March 2012, how do I get a National Quality Framework resource kit and all the available NQF information?
National Quality Framework resource kit
Family kits
Education and Care Services National Regulations
Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010
Belonging, Being, Becoming – Early Years Learning Framework resources
My Time, Our place – Framework for School Age Care
Additional enquiries about publications
What printed information is available?
How can my organisation get copies of the resources?
National Quality Framework resource kit
Family kits
Education and Care Services National Regulations
Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010
Belonging, Being, Becoming – Early Years Learning Framework resources
My Time, Our place – Framework for School Age Care
Where are the National Quality Standards?
Is there a self-assessment template?
Do the National Law and Regulations have to be accessible on all family day care premises?
Yes. Each family day care office, venue or residence should have a copy of the Law and Regulations accessible. This can be an electronic copy. The National Law and National Regulations can be accessed from the ACECQA website. Prescribed information, as set out in Section 172 of the National Law and Regulation 173 of the National Regulations, should be displayed at the entrance of each family day care educator's residence or venue. The primary consideration is that families need to be able to easily access the information.
Qualifications and training
I would like advice on my qualifications as an educator under the National Quality Framework.
Does completing an early childhood teaching qualification approved by ACECQA ensure employment as a teacher in early childhood settings?
I have a degree in primary teaching. Can I be recognised as an early childhood teacher by ACECQA?
- Psychology and child development
- Education and curriculum studies
- Early childhood pedagogies
- Family and community contexts
- History and philosophy of early childhood
- Early childhood professional practice
I have a degree in primary teaching and I am working as an assistant in a childcare centre, can I be recognised at certificate III or diploma level?
- provide care for babies
- foster physical development in early childhood
- development of young children or
- care routines for children.
I'm not sure if my qualification gained in Australia allows me to work as an educator in a childcare centre. How can I find out?
How do I apply for teacher registration in an Australian state/territory?
ACECQA does not have responsibility for teacher registration. This is a responsibility of the state and territory Teacher Regulatory Authorities.
You should approach the teacher registration body in your state/territory for further information.
I have an early childhood teaching qualification approved by ACECQA, where can I work?
If you have an early childhood teaching qualification approved by ACECQA, you are eligible to be an early childhood teacher in an education and care service for the purposes of the Education and Care Services National Law. Completing a qualification on the ACECQA list does not guarantee you a job as a teacher in early childhood settings.
In some states and territorites, early childhood teachers must also be registered before they can work in a children's education and care service. You should check with your local teacher registration authority for information.
What courses should I take so that I can work in a child care centre?
While ACECQA is responsible for approving education and care qualifications, we cannot provide personal recommendations about which courses to undertake. We encourage you to check through the lists of approved qualifications that have been published on our website and, if the course you are interested in does not appear, to speak with the tertiary organisation offering the credential.
Please be aware that some states and territories have made provisions which affect qualifications in their jurisdictions. These provisions are set out in chapter 7 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations.
For questions regarding these requirements, please contact your state or territory regulatory authority. A full list of these can be found on the regulatory authorities page of the website.
How can a Higher Education Provider have an early childhood program added to the list of approved qualifications?
Higher education providers need to apply to ACECQA to have their program added to the list of approved qualifications. Details of how to apply, including the Guidelines for Approving Early Childhood Education and care Qualifications can be found here.
If the program is intented to prepare teachers for settings where teacher registration is needed, the program will also need to be accredited by the relevant state teacher registration authority.
ACECQA is working with Australian teacher regulatory authorities to streamline processes for higher education institutions in meeting all legislative requirements.
Why do the list of approved first aid qualifications, anaphylaxis management training and emergency asthma management training only have state abbreviations for certain states? What happens if I do not live in those states?
How often do I have to renew my first aid, anaphylaxis management and emergency asthma management qualifications?
I am applying to ACECQA to have my overseas qualification assessed for equivalence and need to provide evidence of the qualification level against the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF), How do I do this?
I have been working in a service for years, but now see that my early childhood teacher/diploma/certificate lll qualification is not on ACECQA's lists of approved qualifications. Does this mean I need to have my qualification assessed for equivalence by ACECQA?
If you were recognised as an early childhood teacher by your local jurisdiction immediately before 1 January 2012, then you are taken to be an early childhood teacher under the National Law (see regulation 241 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations). You do not need to have your qualification assessed for equivalence by ACECQA.
Similar transitional and saving provisions exist in the National Regulations for Diploma level and Certificate III level educators (see regulations 243 and 244).
If you are unsure if you were recognised under the former law, please contact your local regulatory authority.
If you were not recognised as an early childhood teacher/diploma level/certificate III educator in your local jurisdiction immediately before 1 January 2012, you can apply to ACECQA to have your qualifications assessed for equivalence. Details of the process and requirements to have your qualifications assessed for equivalence can be found here.
Please refer to the Guidelines for assessment and determination of equivalent qualifications and the Qualification Assessment Application Form.
I have just moved to Australia and want to work as a teacher in a childcare centre. I have an early childhood teaching qualification from overseas. How can I be recognised as an early childhood teacher in Australia?
ACECQA is responsible for assessing early childhood qualifications for the purposes of working in early childhood education and care services under the National Quality Framework (NQF). ACECQA does not publish a list of overseas early childhood teaching qualifications under the NQF (except for Queensland – see list of approved overseas qualifications for Queensland only).
If you wish to be recognised as an early childhood teacher in an education and care service, you may apply to ACECQA to have your qualifications assessed for quivalence. Details of the process and requirements to have your overseas qualifications assessed for equivalence can be found here.
Please refer to the Guidelines for Assessment and Determination of Equivalent Qualifications and the Qualification Assessment Application Form.
As your qualifications were awarded overseas, you will need to provide evidence to
ACECQA of the qualification level against the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF). You can obtain this assessment from either the Overseas Qualification Unit in your state/territory or AEI-NOOSR.
ACECQA will also accept evidence of current teacher registration in an Australian State/Territory as evidence of qualification levelling.
I want to have my overseas qualification assessed for equivalence by ACECQA, but I'm not sure how to demonstrate English language proficiency (section J in the Qualification Assessment Application Form).
If you completed your study in a country other than Australia you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
This can be satisfied by providing evidence that you have completed at least one year of full time higher education level study for an initial teacher education qualification in one of the following countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
If you have not completed at least one year of full time higher education level study for an initial teacher education qualification in one of the countries listed above, you must provide evidence to show that you have completed the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination.
Your IELTS results must show that you have obtained a score of seven (7.0) or more in each component of the examination. A certified copy of these results must be provided with your application to ACECQA.
I am completing the Qualification Assessment Application Form. What is meant by 'Professional Experience'?
The 'Professional experience' referred to in the Qualification Assessment Application Form is the supervised professional practice (practical placements) you completed as a student. For example, you might have been placed in a preschool or child care centre for a four week period to work with the staff and children and complete specific tasks to meet your study requirements.
Your responses to The 'Professional experience' criteria must describe placements undertaken as part of your teacher education study. Work experience gained before or after your studies were completed does not meet this criteria.
Quality Improvement Plans
What is a Quality Improvement Plan?
A QIP helps providers to document the strengths of their services and to recognise areas for improvement.
Who is responsible for the Quality Improvement Plan?
How many Quality Improvement Plans need to be prepared?
What information has to be included in my Quality Improvement Plan?
- include an assessment of the quality of practices of the service against the National Regulations and National Quality Standard
- identify areas the provider considers may require improvement
- contain a statement about the philosophy of the service
What should I consider when preparing my Quality Improvement Plan?
- Does our statement of philosophy reflect a commitment to improvement?
- Are our resources targeted to support our plans?
- Are we collecting and using the right information to help our planning cycle?
- How do we handle complaints?
- How do we review our policies and procedures?
Where can I get more information about the Quality Improvement Plan?
- information sheet about the assessment and rating process with advice to services, including dates relevant to preparing a QIP
- the Guide to Developing a Quality Improvement Plan
- an editable QIP template
When does my Quality Improvement Plan need to be ready?
How do I make my Quality Improvement Plan available?
- The Quality Improvement Plan must be on the premises and available at all times. For family day care services, it must be available at the principal office.
- The QIP must be made available on request to parents of children enrolled at the service, or who are seeking to enrol a child.
- Approved Providers must review and revise the QIP:
How long should my Quality Improvement Plan be?
Ratios
I would like advice on educator to child ratios at my centre-based service under the National Quality Framework.
- children aged birth to 24 months – 1:4 from 1 January 2012
- children aged 25 – 35 months – 1:5 from 1 January 2016
- children aged 36 months up to and including preschool age – 1:11 from 1 January 2016.
| Age of children | Educator to child ratio | Date requirement applies from |
| Birth to 24 months | 1:4 | 1 Jan 2012 - in all states and territories |
| Over 24 months and less than 36 months | 1:5 |
1 Jan 2012 - in ACT, NT, TAS, WA
1 Jan 2016 - in NSW, QLD, SA
Saving provision applies in VIC
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| Over 36 months up to an including preschool age | 1:11 |
1 Jan 2012 - in NT
1 Jan 2016 - in ACT, QLD, VIC
Saving provision applies in NSW, SA, TAS, WA
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| Over preschool age | No national ratio has been set (state and territory ratios may apply) | |
| Age of children | Educator to child ratio | Date requirement applies from |
| Birth to 13 years | 1:7, with no more than four children preschool age or under |
1 Jan 2012 - in ACT, SA, VIC
1 Jan 2014 - in NSW, NT, SA, TAS, WA
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What are the educator-to-child ratios for excursions?
A risk assessment should be completed before an excursion. You must consider if you’ll need extra people to provide adequate supervision at all times. A template excursion risk management plan is available on ACECQA’s Resources & Templates page. For more information on excursion ratios, refer to the Guide to the National Law and National Regulations pages 65 and 70.