REMINDER: New transport regulations are now in play – are you across the changes?

On 7 July 2021, Education Ministers agreed to amendments to the Education and Care National Regulations (National Regulations) regarding the transportation of children, with these changes in effect from 1 October 2021.

The changes cover how children are transported when utilising early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, including outside school hours care (OSHC). Examples may include transport to and from the service, or to and from a child’s home or other location.

Transporting children may present additional risks, including during transition between a vehicle and a service premises or other location. To better manage these risks, all governments have introduced new requirements to strengthen oversight arrangements when children are being transported under the care of an education and care service.

The Education and Care National Amendment Regulations 2020 established new requirements for services to have in place policies and procedures for the safe transportation of children, including requirements for risk assessments and written authorisations.

Further minor amendments have been made to the National Regulations to ensure the effective operation of the provisions relating to transportation and authorisations required for transportation under Divisions 6 and 7 of Part 4.2 of the National Regulations.

The amended regulations came into effect on 1 October 2021. To reflect this updated regulation, an updated ACECQA information sheet on safe transportation of children is now available and may be accessed here.