Foundation Training deadline: existing educators must complete by 27 August 2026 to ensure compliance, child safety, and service quality.
Foundation Training is a mandatory child safety requirement under the National Law. It ensures every educator and volunteer understands their safeguarding responsibilities before working directly with children.
Deadline Reminder
- Existing educators and volunteers: Must complete Foundation Training by 27 August 2026.
- New educators and volunteers (starting on or after 14 August 2026): Must complete training before working with children or within 14 days of employment, whichever comes first.
Consequences of Missing the Deadline
- Compliance breach: Services will be in breach of the National Law if training is not completed.
- Visible gap in register: Regulators can see incomplete training records in the national register.
- Impact on ratings: Non-compliance will negatively affect your service’s assessment and rating.
- Enforcement action: Providers may face penalties, conditions on approval, or restrictions on staff working with children.
Immediate Action Steps
- Complete training now: Ensure all existing staff finish by 27 August 2026.
- Check records: Verify completion is logged in the national register.
- Support new staff: Schedule training before they begin direct work with children.
For more information: National Child Safety Training
Further Reading
National Child Safety Training Is Now Mandatory
National Child Safety Training – Courses 3 & 4 Now Available
An early learning service in Sydney’s east, once facing closure, has been granted 12 months rent‑free operation—a decision that has transformed uncertainty into hope for
Foundation Training deadline: existing educators must complete by 27 August 2026 to ensure compliance, child safety, and service quality.
