The Western Australian Government has announced a sweeping ban on mobile phones and personal digital devices—including smartwatches and tablets—within childcare centres, following a one-month review into sector safety and compliance.
The review, led by the Education and Care Regulatory Unit (ECRU) in partnership with the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), revealed a 14% increase in compliance issues over the past year, attributed to rapid sector growth and inconsistent safety practices.
Key Measures Announced:
- Device Ban: Personal mobile phones, smartwatches, and tablets will be prohibited in all early childhood education and care settings.
- Legislative Reform: The Education and Care Services National Law Application Bill 2025 will be urgently progressed to embed stronger safeguards.
- Reporting Requirements: From September, services must report any abuse allegations within 24 hours.
- Compliance Funding: $1.1 million will be allocated to expand ECRU’s capacity to monitor and enforce standards.
- Educator Training: Additional training will be rolled out to support implementation and reinforce child safety protocols.
Early Childhood Education Minister Sabine Winton stated that the reforms aim to “restore trust” and ensure educators remain fully present and accountable while caring for children. The United Workers Union WA welcomed the move, noting that many providers already enforce similar policies as part of best practice.
This decision aligns WA with South Australia and Victoria, which have already enacted device bans in response to sector concerns. The reforms are part of a broader national push to tighten regulatory oversight and prioritize child safety across early learning environments.
Reference:
WA Government To Ban Mobile Phones From Childcare Centres After Review Into Industry