Strengthening QA2: Introducing Element 2.2.3 – Child Safety and Protection

Written by Lorina
January 5, 2026
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Photo by Anete Lusina

The NQS continues to evolve to ensure that early childhood education and care services uphold the highest standards of safety, wellbeing, and protection for children. From 01 January 2026, a significant change has been introduced under Quality Area 2: Children’s Health and Safety, with the addition of Element 2.2.3 – Child Safety and Protection.

What’s New?

Element 2.2.3 requires that management, educators, and staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities regarding child safety, including the need to identify and respond to every child at risk of abuse or neglect.

This change strengthens the framework by explicitly embedding child protection into the NQS, ensuring services are not only compliant with health and safety requirements but also proactive in safeguarding children.

Legislative Foundations

The element is underpinned by key provisions in the National Law and Regulations:

Section 51(1)(a): Service approval conditions relating to the safety, health, and wellbeing of children.
Section 162A: Child protection training requirements for persons in day-to-day charge, nominated supervisors, and family day care coordinators.
Regulation 84: Awareness of child protection law for all staff.

In addition, services must comply with state and territory child protection legislation, which may impose mandatory reporting obligations for suspected incidents of abuse or neglect.

What This Element Aims to Achieve

The goal of Element 2.2.3 is to ensure:

Awareness: All staff understand current child safety policies and procedures.
Action: Staff can respond appropriately to protect children at risk.
Education: Children are supported to learn about consent, body safety, and protective behaviours in age-appropriate ways.
Collaboration: Services work with families, authorities, and professionals to safeguard children.
Culture: A child-safe environment is promoted across all aspects of service delivery.

How Services Will Be Assessed

Assessors may look for evidence that:

Staff remain vigilant for signs of abuse or neglect.
Children are taught about safety, consent, and help-seeking strategies.
Families are engaged in conversations about child safety practices.
Policies and procedures on child protection and safe digital technology use are current and accessible.
Staff have undertaken child protection training and professional development.
Services collaborate with external agencies to support children with protection needs.

Practical Steps for Services

To prepare for assessment under Element 2.2.3, services should:

Review and update child protection policies and procedures.
Ensure all staff complete child protection training and understand reporting obligations.
Provide ongoing professional development on child safety and online risks.
Share information with families about consent, body safety, and protective behaviours.
Maintain a current list of local child protection resources for staff and families.
Embed child safety principles into daily practice and service culture.

Building a Child-Safe Culture

The introduction of Element 2.2.3 reflects a national commitment to child safety. It challenges services to go beyond compliance, fostering environments where children feel safe, respected, and empowered. By embedding child protection into everyday practice, services strengthen trust with families and uphold their duty of care to every child.