On-site spot checks to strengthen safety and subsidy compliance in ECEC

From October 2025, early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across four states will begin receiving unannounced on-site visits as part of a new federal pilot program aimed at improving safety and Child Care Subsidy (CCS) compliance.

The initiative, announced by the Department of Education, follows the passage of legislation in July 2025 that grants departmental officers new powers of entry to ECEC services. These powers will enable the department to conduct compliance checks related to CCS and raise any observed quality or safety concerns directly with state and territory regulators.

The pilot will involve spot checks at 40–45 services across regional and urban areas in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.

According to the department, the move is not about punitive enforcement, but about supporting standards across the board:

Spot checks may occur without prior notice and are designed to:

• Identify Child Care Subsidy compliance issues, such as improper claiming or attendance records
• Observe quality and safety practices, with any concerns referred to the relevant state or territory regulatory authority

While the pilot will initially focus on a limited number of services, the department has indicated that it may inform broader policy approaches and sector engagement strategies moving forward.

To support services in preparing for the pilot and to encourage strong practice more broadly, the department has made a range of resources available:

• Strengthening safety through Child Care Subsidy – Guidance on subsidy integrity and compliance
• Spot check overview – Details on the pilot program
• ACECQA – Information on the National Quality Framework and quality and safety standards
• Local regulators – For service-specific guidance or to seek clarification on state-based requirements

The introduction of spot checks reflects a broader trend toward transparency, accountability and shared responsibility within the early childhood education sector. While the checks may introduce a new layer of scrutiny, the department has emphasised that the intent is to strengthen public trust, support quality improvement, and ensure public funding delivers value for families and communities.

Services are encouraged to use this period to review their recordkeeping, safety policies, CCS practices and internal quality assurance processes.