The Fair Work Commission has officially implemented wage increases for early childhood educators as part of its gender-based undervaluation review. The updated pay rates and classification structure are now in effect from 1 March 2026. 

Education Minister Jess Walsh has announced today that the government is banning the unsafe business practice of misuse of “under-the-roofline” ratios. For many educators, this statement feels like a long-awaited victory. Yet the choice of wording — misuse — leaves room for interpretation, and that ambiguity deserves closer scrutiny.

National child safety training is now mandatory for everybody working or volunteering in an ECEC service regulated under the NQF. Foundation training is the first stage of national child safety training and is available now. Foundation training is mandatory for any person who works or volunteers in an ECEC service regulated under the NQF.

As of today, February 27th, 2026, all ECE services are required to provide workforce information to the Register. Approved providers must now enter who is working in their services and keep it up to date.

From today, February 27, 2026, significant amendments to the Education and Care Services National Law and National Regulations are now being enforced, introducing new digital device safety standards across early childhood education and care services. By formally including these standards in regulations such as Regulation 168 (Policies and Procedures), Regulations 97 & 99 (Children’s Safety), and Regulation 73 (Educational Program), the changes make digital safety a legal requirement, reinforcing the sector’s role as a champion of child safety in a technology-driven world.

These reforms embed modern child protection measures directly into the national regulations, requiring services to update policies, strengthen risk management, and train staff to ensure digital devices are used safely and responsibly.

A father has sparked debate online after calling out what he sees as a “selfish” practice among parents using early childhood services. His message, though blunt, has resonated with many families and educators who face the ripple effects of illness spreading through childcare centers.

In early childhood education, consistency is more than a comfort; it’s a cornerstone of safety and learning. A recent sector discussion highlighted the risks of high staff turnover, describing it as a “revolving door” that undermines trust, attachment, and quality outcomes for children.

New national data reveals a drop in the proportion of qualified staff working in early childhood education and care services.

Recent alerts from TEQSA (Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency) and ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority) have raised concerns about students being funnelled into childcare courses without genuine interest or adequate preparation. Migration agents and private colleges offering fast-tracked qualifications are contributing to a surge of students entering placements without mandatory checks or sufficient training.

The National Quality Standard (NQS) has been updated to further reinforce the responsibility of early childhood education and care services in safeguarding children. Under Quality Area 7: Governance and Leadership, Standard 7.1—Governance now explicitly highlights that governance must support the operation of a quality service that is child safe.