Regulatory authorities administer the National Quality Framework (NQF) in each state and territory, usually as part of that state or territory’s education department or agency.
In most cases, the regulatory authority is the first point of contact for providers. They are responsible for:
- granting approvals, including provider approval and service approvals
- assessing and rating services against the National Quality Standard
- working with ACECQA to promote continuous quality improvement and educating the sector and community about the NQF.
Regulatory authorities also have a range of powers and tools to facilitate continuous improvement and ensure compliance with the NQF, including the ability to issue compliance notices.
Contact your regulatory authority for enquiries about:
- submitting application and notification forms
- provider and service applications and approvals
- supervisor certificates (in WA only)
- temporary and service waivers
- assessment and rating
- compliance
- state or territory-specific transition and savings provisions
Notify Your Regulatory Authority On Certain Issues
Under the National Law, approved providers must notify the Regulatory Authority about a range of issues, including any:
- complaints alleging the National Law has been breached or a serious incident has occurred at a service
- serious incidents
- circumstances at the service which pose a risk to the health, safety or wellbeing of children
- any incident or allegation that physical or sexual abuse of a child or children has occurred or is occurring while the child or children are being educated and cared for by the service.
When notifying the Regulatory Authority it's important to include as much detail as possible so the department can quickly and accurately assess what (if any) action needs to be taken.
If you feel that the service you are currently working with is not following compliance or find that they are breaching regulations and law, you should raise any concerns you have with the service first. If however, you are unhappy with their response or feel that the issues have not been dealt with and the wellbeing of children and staff are at risk then you should make a complaint to your states/territories regulatory authority.
Regulatory Authority Contact Details
ACT
Children’s Education and Care Assurance, Early Childhood Policy and Regulation, Education Directorate, ACT Government.
Address:
GPO Box 158
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Website:
www.education.act.gov.au
Email:
ceca@act.gov.au
Phone:
(02) 6207 1114
Fax:
(02) 6207 1128
NSW
Early Childhood Education Directorate, NSW Department of Education
Address:
Locked Bag 5107
PARRAMATTA NSW 2124
Website:
education.nsw.gov.au
Email:
ececd@det.nsw.edu.au
Phone:
1800 619 113 (toll free)
Fax:
(02) 8633 1810
NT
Quality Education and Care NT, Department of Education
Address:
GPO Box 4821
DARWIN NT 0801
Website:
www.education.nt.gov.au
Email:
qualityecnt.det@nt.gov.au
Phone:
(08) 8999 3561
QLD
Regulation, Assessment and Service Quality,
Early Childhood and Community Engagement, Dept of Education and Training
Address:
Early Childhood Education and Care
Department of Education and Training
PO Box 15033
CITY EAST QLD 4002
Website:
www.qed.qld.gov.au
Email:
ecec@qed.qld.gov.au
Phone:
Early Childhood information service:
13 QGOV (13 7468)
SA
Education Standards Board
Address:
GPO Box 1811
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Website:
www.esb.sa.gov.au
Email:
ESB.EarlyChildhoodServices@sa.gov.au
Phone:
1800 882 413 (toll free)
(08) 8226 0077
TAS
Department of Education, Education and Care Unit
Address:
GPO Box 169
HOBART TAS 7001
Website:
www.educationandcare.tas.gov.au
Email:
ecu.comment@education.tas.gov.au
Phone:
1800 816 057 (toll free)
VIC
Department of Education and Training
Address:
GPO Box 4367
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Website:
www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/providers/regulation
Email:
licensed.childrens.services@edumail.vic.gov.au
Phone:
1300 307 415
WA
Department of Communities, Education and Care Regulatory Unit
Address:
Level 1, 111 Wellington Street
EAST PERTH WA 6004
Website:
https://www.dlgc.wa.gov.au/LegislationCompliance/Pages/Education-and-Care.aspx
Email:
ecru@communities.wa.gov.au
Phone:
(08) 6551 8333
Fax:
(08) 6552 1555
Reference:
Regulatory Authority, ACECQA
The Children’s Services Award introduces a streamlined classification system and updated pay rates designed to better recognise the skills, qualifications, and responsibilities of early childhood
Children need safe and positive environments to learn and grow. To ensure this, services and educators need to ensure effective supervision at all times. The
Floorbook is a documentation approach that uses a large book with blank pages for children to record different aspects of their learning in small groups
In Norway and most other Scandinavian countries, children nap in the outdoors. According, to research outdoor sleeping not only promotes better daytime sleeping, but it
Nature programs in early childhood settings are a fantastic way to connect children with the natural world and promote holistic development. The following article provides
From 2026, every educator covered by the Children’s Services Award will move into a new, simplified classification structure. Instead of navigating 30 different levels, educators
Schemas are patterns of repeated behavior that allow children to explore and express developing ideas and thoughts through their play and exploration. The following article
The following article lists 30 art and craft descriptions and links to the EYLF. These can be used as a blurb, during observations, used for
Positive phrases play a crucial role in children's growth because they help nurture their emotional, social, and cognitive development. The following article lists 30 positive
From the earliest months of life, babies thrive when given opportunities to experience the outdoors. Nature is not just a backdrop for play—it is a
