Education and Care Services in Victoria
Quality education and care makes a positive difference to the health, development and wellbeing of children.
Over 4000 services provide education and care to Victorian children in the absence of their parents. These services are provided in centre-based and family day care settings.
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (the Department) is responsible for regulating education and care services.
For information about the requirements for these services, please select the appropriate link below.
Education and Care Services – the National Quality Framework
From 1 January 2012, the National Quality Framework applies to family day care, long day care, outside school hours care services and preschools (kindergartens) across Australia. These services must meet the requirements of the:
- Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (PDF - 839Kb) (National Law)
- Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 (PDF - 1.7Mb) (National Regulations)
These services are referred to as education and care services. See: Education and Care Services – National Quality Framework
Victorian Children’s Services – the Victorian Children’s Services Legislation
All limited hours and short term licensed services, a small number of other services that currently hold a standard licence including budget-based services not funded for Child Care Benefit, occasional care, early childhood intervention, and mobile services, and a small number of school holiday care programs, continue to be required to operate under the
- Victorian Children’s Services Act 1996 (Victorian Act) (PDF - 449Kb)
- Victorian Children’s Services Regulations 2009 (Victorian Regulations) (PDF - 1.0Mb).
These services are referred to as: Victorian Children’s Services
Further information
Details of all services operating in Victoria will be included in either of the following registers:
- Register of Victorian Children’s Services
- Register of Approved Education and Care Services (to be available later in 2012).
You can also call the Department’s Licensed Children’s Services enquiry line on 1300 307 415 or email licensed.childrens.services@edumail.vic.gov.au
Authorised Officers are located at DEECD regional offices. See: Regional Offices