Concerns Raised About Non Genuine Students Being Funnelled Into Childcare Courses

Written by Lorina
January 13, 2026
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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.

For educators, this creates a dual risk:

Child safety: Unprepared students may lack the skills or clearances to work responsibly with children.
Sector integrity: Rapid enrolment changes and weak assessment practices undermine the credibility of qualifications.

Why This Matters for Educators

Quality early childhood education is proven to improve children’s cognitive outcomes, school readiness, and long-term success. When teaching practices are compromised, children lose these benefits.

Educators on the ground may notice:

Students arriving at placements without Working With Children checks.
Language barriers or gaps in cultural understanding.
Limited access to high-quality placement opportunities.
A lack of genuine commitment to the profession.

Practical Steps for Educators

To safeguard both children and the profession, educators can take proactive measures:

Verify placement readiness: Check that students have completed mandatory clearances before engaging them in practice.
Model best practice: Demonstrate reflective teaching, scaffolding, and child-centred approaches to set clear expectations.
Provide structured mentoring: Support students with guided tasks, feedback loops, and opportunities to observe before leading.
Raise concerns early: Report gaps in student preparedness to supervisors or training providers.
Advocate for integrity: Encourage colleagues to resist shortcuts and uphold the value of genuine qualifications.

Regulatory and Inquiry Context

TEQSA & ASQA alerts: Regulators have flagged risks in enrollment, delivery, and assessment integrity, warning that poor practices could become entrenched if not addressed.
NSW Parliamentary Inquiry: Chaired by Greens MLC Abigail Boyd, the inquiry is investigating systemic failures in childcare, including abuse, neglect, and poor training practices. The final report is expected in early 2026.
Profit-driven training: Private colleges offering short courses are under scrutiny for prioritising revenue over quality, with regulators pushing for stronger governance and oversight.

Educators are the frontline guardians of child safety and learning. While systemic issues in enrolment and training are being addressed at a regulatory level, your daily practice—mentoring, modelling, and advocating—remains the most powerful safeguard for children and the sector’s future.