National Quality Agenda IT System

The National Quality Agenda Information Technology System is in progress.

The National Quality Agenda IT System (NQA ITS) will provide online business systems to support the implementation of the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care.

Fujitsu Australia Limited and Education Services Australia are currently undertaking this major project on behalf of the Australian Government and each state and territory government, in consultation with the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and state and territory regulatory authorities. When complete, NQA ITS will be owned and managed by ACECQA.

The NQA ITS will provide a single point of contact for those services covered by the National Quality Framework including:

Long Day Care
Family Day Care
Preschools (Kindergartens)
Outside School Hours Care.

The NQA ITS will offer services a streamlined way of doing business with their regulatory authority, including the ability to apply online for provider approval, service approval and certified supervisor approval.

What is the NQA ITS?

The NQA ITS is an online management tool for state and territory regulatory authorities and ACECQA to record and report monitoring and compliance information and assessment and rating information.

It will also be used to generate a number of the registers required under the National Law to be published by ACECQA or the regulatory authority including:

These registers will be published in the second half of 2012.

When complete the NQA ITS will also allow providers and services to use a secure portal and seek approvals, provide notification or seek amendments online. The NQA ITS will make it easier for the state and territory regulatory authorities and providers to work together.

How will I find the NQA ITS?

When ready for public use, the NQA ITS will be found via a link here on the ACECQA website (www.acecqa.gov.au).

When will I need to use the NQA ITS?

Services should check with their regulatory authorities to see what new applications or notifications they need to make in 2012. Some functions may be covered by transitional arrangements, depending on the state or territory.

In the first part of 2012 you will use printed forms downloaded from ACECQA’s website and mailed to your state or territory regulatory authority when complete.

During the second part of 2012 applications and other transactions, including payments, will progressively be moved online. You can stay up to date with news about the NQA ITS if you subscribe to the ACECQA email newsletter.

What will I use the NQA ITS for?

When fully operational, the system will allow providers and services to use a secure portal and seek approvals, provide notification or seek amendments online. For example:

apply for approvals (provider, service, supervisor certificates)
amend a provider or service approval
notify a change of nominated supervisor
seek a service waiver or temporary waiver
submit a serious incident report or notify of serious complaints received at the service
amend a supervisor certificate.

Given that approvals are ongoing, it is not expected that services will need to regularly use the NQA ITS other than to notify a Regulatory Authority of a change of circumstances or a potential event.

Where do I go for further information or help?

ACECQA's website at www.acecqa.gov.au will provide updates and information about the NQA ITS as well as having a range of support material about the National Quality Framework.

You can stay up to date with news about the National Quality Framework if you subscribe to the ACECQA email newsletter.