Q: Are “Under the Roof” Ratios Still Allowed?

No, “under the roof” ratios are no longer permitted. The ban on “under the roof” ratios (effective April 2026) means that educators can only be counted toward ratios in the room where they are physically present and actively supervising children. Centres can no longer average staff across the building or count floaters who are not directly engaged with children in a room.

What Is Allowed

Room-based ratios: Each room must meet the required educator-to-child ratio independently.
- Example: In a toddler room with 12 children, you must have 3 educators physically in that room (ratio 1:4).
Float staff: Extra staff can move between rooms, but they only count toward ratios when they are inside a room supervising.
- Example: A floater helping with lunch in the preschool room counts toward that room’s ratio while present, but not toward the toddler room at the same time.
Break coverage: Centres can rotate staff for breaks, but ratios must remain intact in each room during the coverage.

What Is Not Allowed

Under the roof ratios: Counting staff across the whole building even if they are not in the room.
- Example: A centre has 4 educators on site and 3 rooms open. They cannot claim compliance by saying “4 under the roof covers all rooms.” Each room must meet its own ratio.
Centre-wide averaging: Adding up all children and staff across the service and dividing to show compliance.
- Example: 30 children across 3 rooms with 6 educators looks like 1:5 overall, but if one room has 15 children with only 2 staff, that room is non-compliant.
Counting non-supervising staff: Admin staff, cooks, or educators on break cannot be included in ratios.

Quick Comparison Table

Practice	Allowed?	Example
Direct room ratios	Yes	Toddler room: 12 children → 3 educators present
Float staff counted only when present	Yes	Floater joins preschool room → counts toward ratio while inside
Under the roof ratios	No	4 educators total across 3 rooms → not compliant
Centre-wide averaging	No	30 children, 6 staff overall → ratios must be per room
Counting admin/cook staff	No	Office staff cannot be included in ratios

What “Under the Roof” Ratio Means

Definition: Counting educators as supervising children if they are anywhere in the building, even if not physically present in the same room.
Problem: Creates misleading compliance on paper while leaving rooms understaffed.
Risks: Higher chance of serious incidents (e.g., toileting accidents, emotional distress, supervision failures)

Current Regulatory Position (2026)

Ban introduced: The federal government adopted ACECQA’s recommendation to prohibit “under the roof” ratios in March 2026.
Compliance requirement: Only staff working directly with children in a room can be counted toward ratios.
Implementation: ACECQA is rolling out guidance and enforcement measures; centres continuing the practice are breaching regulations

Why Centres Still Use It

Staff shortages: Some services rely on the loophole during low-staff days.
Misinterpretation: Directors may believe averaging ratios across rooms is acceptable.
Audit lag: Enforcement is still being phased in, so some centres are slow to adapt.