From 1 July ECEC services will have increased flexibility to replace educators and ECTs

From 1 July 2023, early childhood education and care (ECEC) services regulated under the National Quality Framework (NQF) will have increased flexibility to replace educators, early childhood teachers (ECTs), and suitably qualified persons (SQPs) on a short-term basis in various situations. 

These situations include:

• Short-term illness 
• Leave 
• Attendance at a practicum placement for an approved qualification (new) 
• Resignation (new). 

Services can substitute educators, ECTs, or SQPs for a maximum duration of:

• 30 days in any 12-month period per role for Certificate III and Diploma level educators 
• 60 days in any 12-month period per role for ECTs, second ECTs, or SQPs.

Where the educator, ECT or SQP is part-time, the days are calculated on a pro-rata basis.

The short-term relief provisions do not apply to ECTs and SQPs if the service employs or engages the ECTs or SQP on a full-time or full-time equivalent basis. 

Victorian approved providers would have recently received an update from the Quality Assessment and Regulation Division (QARD) providing information on changes to educator relief provisions.  

Certificate III and Diploma level educators (including those actively working towards these qualifications) can also be replaced by individuals with a primary teaching qualification. 

ECTs, second ECTs, and SQPs can be replaced by individuals holding an approved Diploma level qualification or a primary teaching qualification. 

For further information on short-term relief of educators guidelines, please see here.