New WA Bill seeks to align the state with the rest of Australia’s ECEC laws and regs

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Freya Lucas

Aug 15, 2024

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The Western Australian Government has passed the Education and Care Services National Law Bill 2024 through the Legislative Assembly in a major step toward aligning WA with the rest of Australia’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) legislation.

The Education and Care Services National Law Application Bill 2024 will strengthen the regulatory oversight of ECEC providers in WA and ensure stronger accountability for service providers and ongoing high-quality education and care services for children.

The Bill will support a timelier application of modifications to the National Quality Framework (NQF), Early Childhood Education Minister Sabine Winton said, affirming her Government’s commitment to continually working with the Commonwealth and other States and Territories to ensure children get the best possible start to life.

"Western Australia has upheld the Early Childhood Education National Quality Framework through earlier legislation, however this Bill will enable the State Government to align its legislation with that of the host jurisdiction, Victoria,” she explained.

"Our Bill has been drafted in a way that will allow for modifications to reflect the unique nature of Western Australia's Early Childhood Education and Care sector.”

The passing of the Bill, Ms Winton continued, is “a significant milestone” in what has been “a long journey to create nationally consistent standards for early childhood education and care.”

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