Education and Care Services – the National Quality Framework

The National Quality Framework will help children get the best start in life by raising quality and consistency in education and care services across Australia.

From 1 January 2012, education and care services must meet the requirements of the National Quality Framework:

• Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (PDF - 839Kb) (National Law)
• Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 (PDF - 1.7Mb) (the Regulations) and the National Quality Standard (Schedule 1 of the Regulations)

An education and care service is any service providing or intending to provide education and care on a regular basis to children under the age of 13 years. This includes family day care services, long day care services, outside school hours care services and preschools (kindergartens).

Information for education and care services

• Register of Approved Education and Care Services (to be available later in 2012)
• Fact sheets and resources
• Frequently asked questions
• Resources – Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority
• Approvals and certificates
• News and events
• Newsletters
• Training and qualifications: Victorian education and care services
• First aid and anaphylaxis
• Child Protection Protocol: Protecting the safety and wellbeing of children
• Enforcement actions
• Child Care Benefit

In Victoria, responsibility for administering the National Quality Framework is shared between the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Australian Education and Care Quality Authority.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (the Department) is the Regulatory Authority in Victoria under the National Quality Framework. As the Regulatory Authority, the Department is responsible for granting service and provider approvals, carrying out the quality assessment and ratings process and ensuring education and care services meet the requirements of the National Law and National Regulations.

Authorised Officers are located at DEECD regional offices. See: Regional Offices

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) is the national, independent statutory authority governing the National Quality Framework. ACECQA’s role includes ensuring the consistent application of the National Quality Framework, publishing guides and resources for education and care services and maintaining public registers and lists of qualifications.

Further information about the National Quality Framework is available at:

• Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
• Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)