The Australian Government is rolling out unannounced spot checks across Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services nationwide. This follows a successful pilot in October–November 2025. The program is designed to strengthen compliance, lift standards, and give families confidence that services are safe, high-quality, and correctly administering the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).
Why Spot Checks?
The government has emphasized that the program is not punitive but rather focused on lifting standards and building trust. Families can be reassured that services are being held to consistent national benchmarks, and providers are supported in maintaining high-quality practices.
- Ensure services meet legal obligations
- Confirm correct administration of the CCS
- Identify and escalate safety or quality concerns to local regulators
- Strengthen public confidence in child care services
What Inspectors Will Look For
1. Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Compliance
- Attendance records: Do sign-in/out logs match CCS claims?
- Enrolment details: Are family eligibility documents complete and current?
- Fee charging practices: Are invoices consistent with CCS rules?
- Session reports: Are hours of care reported accurately to Services Australia?
- Fraud prevention: Are there signs of false claims or incorrect subsidy usage?
2. Safety and Quality Observations
- Supervision ratios: Are staff-to-child ratios being met?
- Environmental safety: Are play areas free from hazards?
- Emergency procedures: Are evacuation plans visible and drills documented?
- Health practices: Are hygiene routines (handwashing, food safety) followed?
- Child wellbeing: Are children safe, engaged, and emotionally supported?
3. Documentation and Governance
- Policies and procedures: Are compliance manuals and training records accessible?
- Staff qualifications: Do educators hold required certifications and clearances?
- Incident records: Are accidents, injuries, or complaints documented properly?
- Governance oversight: Is the Approved Provider actively monitoring compliance?
Key Points for Providers
- Spot checks do not replace routine inspections by state/territory regulators.
- If issues are found, they will be reported to the local regulator.
- The focus is on lifting standards, not punishment.
- Services should be prepared for unannounced visits at any time.
What This Means for Families
- Greater assurance of safety and compliance in child care services.
- Confidence that providers are meeting nationally consistent standards.
- Transparency in how the CCS is administered.
Next Steps for Services
- Review compliance processes and CCS administration.
- Conduct regular internal safety audits.
- Train staff on CCS rules and reporting accuracy.
- Ensure policies, qualifications, and clearances are up to date.
- Treat spot checks as an opportunity to showcase quality practice.
For more information: Spot Checks
The Australian Government is rolling out unannounced spot checks across Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services nationwide. This follows a successful pilot in October–November