Updated enforcement action and new infringement notices registers released

The Australian Government has updated the Enforcement Action Register and published a new Infringement Notices Register, providing detailed information on compliance activity within the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector under the Family Assistance Law (FAL).

These measures form part of the government’s continued regulatory approach to monitoring and enforcing compliance by approved providers.

The Enforcement Action Register lists actions taken against providers and services found to be non-compliant with obligations under the FAL. These obligations relate to the approval, operation, and management of services that receive Australian Government child care payments.

Enforcement actions may include sanctions, suspension, cancellation, or the imposition of conditions on approvals. Publication of these actions is considered to be in the public interest, as it allows the sector to access information about compliance decisions.

The latest update reflects enforcement actions recently applied to providers. This information assists services in understanding the types of breaches that can lead to regulatory action and highlights the consequences of failing to meet requirements. The register is publicly accessible and is updated regularly to reflect current compliance activity.

The government also issues infringement notices to providers that breach provisions of the FAL. Infringement notices are financial penalties that can be imposed without court proceedings. They are intended to address less serious breaches quickly and efficiently while encouraging compliance with legislative requirements.

The newly published Infringement Notices Register records details of infringement notices issued. To maintain privacy, the information in this register is de-identified. While provider names are not disclosed, the register sets out the nature of the breaches and the penalties applied, enabling services to review examples of non-compliance and strengthen their own internal processes.

To assist services in meeting their obligations, the government has developed a Provider Tool Kit. The toolkit consolidates information, resources, and guidance to help providers understand the requirements of the FAL and implement effective compliance practices.

Both registers are intended to provide transparency regarding compliance and enforcement activity. They allow stakeholders to access information on how the FAL is administered and enforced. Providers can use this information to better understand compliance expectations, review their own practices, and mitigate the risk of non-compliance.

The publication of these registers aligns with the government’s regulatory framework, which focuses on protecting the integrity of child care funding and ensuring that public resources are used appropriately. By making this information available, the government supports consistent application of compliance requirements across the sector.