In the quiet coastal town of Peregian Springs, a harrowing event unfolded outside Habitat Early Learning that could have shaken the very foundations of safety and trust in early childhood education. But thanks to the swift, composed actions of the centre’s educators, tragedy was met with bravery—and children were protected from trauma that no young heart should ever bear.

 Darren Misquitta, the former head of the now-defunct Genius Childcare group, has been fined $4,000 by the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to handling $120,000 that was the proceeds of a fraud committed six years ago.

A childcare centre in Bushland Beach, Townsville, has changed its name while under investigation for multiple regulatory breaches, including allegations of poor supervision and child injuries.

Australia’s Department of Education has issued compliance notices to 30 early childhood education centres, exercising new regulatory powers granted by the federal government. This marks a significant escalation in national oversight following a wave of child safety concerns and public scrutiny across the sector.

The Albanese government is preparing to undertake a major overhaul of Australia’s childcare subsidy model, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers signaling that the current framework may no longer be fit for purpose. The move comes amid growing calls for universal childcare and urgent reforms following a series of high-profile child safety breaches across the sector.

In the wake of disturbing abuse cases and mounting public pressure, a renewed political push is underway to enforce a nationwide ban on personal mobile phones in childcare centres—backed by a proposed $50,000 fine for non-compliance.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is facing mounting criticism over delays in releasing the findings of a government-commissioned review into childcare safety and standards. The review, initiated in response to serious abuse allegations and systemic failures in early learning services, remains unpublished—prompting frustration from families, educators, and advocacy groups.

In a decisive move that underscores the growing demand for ethical accountability in early childhood education, Australian pension fund Vision Super has divested its holdings in G8 Education Ltd. following allegations of sexual abuse at one of the provider’s centers.

Australia is set to overhaul its childcare worker screening system with landmark legislation that will prevent individuals banned in one state or territory from working in another. The reform—dubbed “banned in one, banned in all”—marks a pivotal step toward national consistency in safeguarding children across early education settings.

Hundreds of childcare centres across Australia have been formally “put on notice” as regulators respond to mounting concerns over child safety, compliance failures, and systemic misconduct. The move signals a decisive shift in accountability, with authorities warning that services failing to meet standards will face serious consequences.