Spot checks, CCTV and scrutiny of Working With Children Checks: sector responds to child safety crisis

Australia’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector is confronting a wave of urgent reforms with new legislative measures, renewed calls for workforce accountability, and provider-led safeguarding initiatives now underway.

Education Minister Jason Clare has confirmed new legislation will soon empower federal officers to carry out unannounced spot checks at ECEC services under the Family Assistance Law. These visits previously only permitted with a warrant or police presence will allow officials to inspect centres for subsidy compliance and child safety adherence without notice.

“These new powers are serious because the situation is serious,” Clare said. “We’re taking action, but not enough action has happened and not fast enough.”

Under proposed changes, centres that fail to meet safety standards could face suspension of federal funding or restrictions on expansion. The installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) is expected to become mandatory in early learning settings, with leading provider Goodstart Early Learning already progressing a national rollout.

In a statement, Goodstart acknowledged the role of CCTV in safeguarding, while stressing that it must complement, not replace, high-quality professional practice.

“CCTV is just one tool and a minor one  in keeping children safe and well,” a spokesperson said. “Active supervision by qualified and well-trained educators and teachers working in a centre where children always remain visible  is the key to safeguarding children.”

Goodstart began carefully trialling CCTV in 2022. While installation is now standard in all new centres, the organisation noted that a full rollout across its 653 sites will take several years due to the high cost of installation, secure data storage, and monitoring.

Strict privacy protocols are followed, with cameras installed in indoor learning areas, sleep rooms, outdoor play spaces, car parks, entrances, reception areas, hallways and kitchens. Teams and families receive formal notice before any installation, and unions were consulted throughout the trial phase.

“Governments will have to consider how they fund a national program to support the rollout of CCTV in early learning centres,” the spokesperson said. “We know we must remain vigilant in our safeguarding and look forward to working with governments across the nation to improve safeguarding for all children.”

WWCC under fire: safety checks ‘not fit for purpose’

The case has exposed alarming flaws in Australia’s child safety system particularly the WWCC regime. Though intended as a frontline safeguard, the check has come under intense scrutiny after revelations it can be completed in just 30 minutes via an online form for those without prior convictions.

By contrast, gaining certification to serve alcohol requires up to 10 hours of training in Victoria.

Former royal commissioner Robert Fitzgerald has also condemned the lack of progress on WWCC reform. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommended a national model in 2015 yet ten years later, each state and territory continues to operate separate systems with inconsistent rules.

“My view is that this is shameful,” Fitzgerald said. “That job should have been completed, there are gaps in our child safeguarding regime.”

National coordination and sector support

States including Victoria, Queensland and NSW have committed to strengthening their WWCC regimes. Victoria has launched an urgent review, while NSW is trialling CCTV in services. The ACT Government has also pledged to collaborate nationally on improving child safety.

A meeting of state and federal attorneys-general in August will consider further reforms, including real-time data sharing, faster incident reporting, and strengthened ‘fitness and propriety’ checks for those in charge of ECEC operations.

With an agreement and support with sector-wide commitment to change, the focus is now on delivering lasting reform.

As Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie put it: “It’s one thing to have all the great frameworks, standards, rules and procedures in place. It’s another thing to actually enforce those.”