NQF and Policy Changes

Updated Guide to the National Quality Framework has been released

Freya Lucas

Sep 24, 2020

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An updated version of the Guide to the National Quality Framework (NQF) has been released, containing updated guidance on the Exceeding rating, supporting the safe transportation of children and the $10 million public liability insurance minimum cover requirement.

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) haa updated the exceeding guidance as part of the regulators commitment to promoting consistency, reliability and transparency in quality rating decisions, including information covering:

translation of guidance against each Standard previously presented as Exceeding ‘indicators’ into reflective questions for providers and services; and,
questions authorised officers use to consider against evidence gathered during the quality rating process, to help determine if all Exceeding themes are demonstrated for each quality Standard.

New resources on ACECQA’s Exceeding the NQS webpage include:

A series of case studies that offer practical and illustrative examples of high quality practice for each quality Standard.
An information sheet that provides a quick summary of the updated Exceeding guidance and resources.

These updates and resources have been developed in collaboration with all state and territory regulatory authorities.

National Regulation Amendments 2020

The Guide to the NQF has also been updated to reflect the National Regulation Amendments 2020.

Updated guidance relates to:

new requirements for providers of services transporting children - commencing 1 October 2020; and,
revised staffing provisions in South Australia - commenced 1 September 2020.

The consolidated National Regulations are now available online, and a summary table is available on the ACECQA website.

Public liability insurance minimum cover requirements

The Guide to the NQF has also been updated to clarify the requirements of, and regulators expectations around, public liability insurance minimum cover under Regulations 29 and 30.

Feedback and any questions should be sent via email to enquiries@acecqa.gov.au

The updated guide, and a summary table of all guidance changes is available on the ACECQA website, with the regulator recommending providers seek the latest updates directly from the site moving forward.

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