New Federal Legislation Targeting Childcare Standards

In the wake of devastating safeguarding failures, the Albanese Government has introduced legislation granting federal authorities new powers to respond to serious breaches in early childhood settings. Centres that pose harm to children or flout standards may face public exposure, funding loss, and closure—all within a 30-day compliance window.

What’s New

• Centres with serious violations will now receive a 30-day grace period to rectify issues before losing access to the Childcare Subsidy.

• Authorities gain the ability to impose conditions, revoke approvals, and publicly list breaches.

• Existing protocols for immediate closure remain in place for those posing imminent risk.

Enforcement & Oversight Upgrades

• The Education Department will gain stronger powers to investigate and act on breaches.
• Currently, ACECQA ratings range from “Exceeding NQS” to “Working Towards NQS”—no ”“fail” rating exists.
  
  
• States and territories can still shut down centres over child safety concerns.

Broader Safeguarding Strategy in Motion

• Federal, state, and territory ministers will meet next month to advance:
  
  
  • Mandatory child safety training
  • Expanded use of CCTV
  • A national educator register to track staff across services

Parliamentary Positioning

• The Coalition supports the bill but seeks assurances it will improve safety.
  
  
• The Greens support the changes but want a national watchdog to enforce standards more consistently across jurisdictions.

Sector Reform Momentum

• New national standards (effective September): Centres must report sexual abuse allegations within 24 hours (down from 7 days).
  
  
• A voluntary device ban introduced in 2024 is being considered for mandatory rollout.
  
  
• Stronger Working With Children Checks

Minister Jess Walsh emphasized the intent to penalize providers who prioritize profit over child safety:

“Every child deserves to be safe in early learning, and every parent deserves to know their children are safe.”

Further Reading 

More Time, More Charges: The Sector Reckoning We Can’t Afford to Delay 
Legal Action Exposes Systemic Safeguarding Gaps in Childcare
“We Are Not Going to Let Monsters Lurk in Centres”

Reference: 
Laws That Strip Childcare Funding From Centres Breaching Standards To Be Introduced.