Ed Council meets again, confirms four areas of regulatory change

Jason Roberts

Apr 05, 2020

Save

The nation’s state and territory education ministers have agreed on four critical areas of regulatory change to support the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector as it copes with the implications of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Determined at the Council of Australian Government’s (COAG) latest Education Council meeting, held 2 April 2020, the ministers agreed on four critical areas for time-limited regulatory action, namely:

waiving fees and charges for COVID19-related applications
fast tracking qualification waivers
suspending assessment and rating
making rapid operational adjustments as required

Regulatory authorities will continue to apply child safety as the primary consideration in regulatory decisions, with Ministers noting that fast tracking waivers and operational requirements are subject to there being “no additional risk to the safety of children and staff.” In addition, the communiqué noted that the Council is seeking additional advice and practice guidance from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) on safe COVID-19 ECEC practices, especially relating to room sizes limitations and additional cleaning. The meeting was the second such gathering of state and territory ministers of education in a week as Governments continue to respond to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the ECEC sector and broader education sector. To read the most recent communique please see here.

Don’t miss a thing

OSHC provider fined following child safety breaches

A Queensland outside school hours care (OSHC) provider has been fined $50,000 after pleading guilty to multiple breaches of the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations relating to supervision, child protection and notification failures.

New National Register to strengthen oversight of early childhood education workforce

A new National Early Childhood Worker Register is being introduced to enhance regulatory visibility of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce across Australia.

Major providers face enforcement action as regulators step in over safety concerns

In Victoria, the newly established Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) has filed five charges against G8 Education Limited over an incident at Community Kids Hoppers Crossing Early Education Centre, where a child with diagnosed disabilities exited the service unaccompanied and was later found in the middle of a busy road.

Staff screening obligation reinforced for Queensland approved providers

Approved providers across Queensland are being reminded of their legal obligation to check the register of prohibited persons and suspended educators before employing any individual to work in an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service.

QLD Child safety reform resources and training available for ECEC services

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are encouraged to explore new resources designed to support the implementation of strengthened child safety laws across all states and territories.