National reforms spark targeted child safety response in the NT’s early learning sector

The Northern Territory has launched a dedicated child safety education and training strategy for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, aligning with national reforms and placing a clear focus on supporting staff to build and maintain child-safe environments.

The Northern Territory Government has confirmed that all educators, teachers and staff in approved ECEC services will be required to complete mandatory child safety training every year, in line with new national expectations.

The initiative is part of a broader suite of reforms announced by the Australian Government aimed at strengthening child safety across all early learning settings. These reforms include funding arrangements that allow CCS-approved services to close for up to five hours on up to five occasions per year to complete mandatory training, while continuing to receive subsidy support.

In the NT, the focus is now turning to implementation – ensuring the reforms are not only compliant with national expectations, but responsive to local needs.

Territory-specific training program to support implementation

To deliver on this commitment, the NT Department of Education has developed a specialised online training program designed specifically for the Territory’s early learning workforce. The training is evidence-informed and tailored to reflect the NT’s unique context, with a strong focus on recognising and responding to harm.

The course covers:

• creating a child-safe culture
• understanding reporting responsibilities
• safe environments and behaviours
• responding to disclosures or concerns.

Participation in the training is compulsory for all educators and staff in regulated ECEC services and must be completed each calendar year. The Department has also outlined clear record-keeping and compliance expectations for approved providers.

Connected to the Early Childhood Safe Start, Strong Futures Plan 2026

The mandatory training and broader child safety agenda in the Territory are embedded within the Early Childhood Safe Start, Strong Futures Plan 2026,. The plan aims to improve quality and ensure consistent child safety practices across the NT’s ECEC sector.

Built around four pillars:

• Strengthened Accountability, 
• Targeted Investment, 
• Continuous Improvement, and 
• Meaningful Engagement 

The plan outlines key actions including:

• Ensuring all regulated services meet Quality Area 2 (Children’s Health and Safety) by mid-2026
• Supporting the rollout of national child safety training from February 2026
• Introducing legislative changes to register early childhood teachers
• Launching awareness campaigns for families and educators
• Building workforce capacity through scholarships and leadership development

The Department will also enhance regulatory oversight, improve professional learning pathways, and strengthen local governance across early education services.

Bringing national consistency with local flexibility

The national reforms represent a significant step in aligning child safety expectations across jurisdictions. By empowering educators with the knowledge and skills to proactively identify and address risks, the reforms aim to strengthen protective environments for children attending early learning services.

However, how the training is delivered and embedded will vary between states and territories. In the NT, the dedicated local training program reflects a commitment to culturally safe, place-based implementation.

This approach is critical in a jurisdiction where ECEC services often operate in geographically remote and culturally diverse communities, and where service capacity can be more limited.

In addition to meeting training requirements, providers must also maintain records of completion and ensure that all staff, including new and casual educators, are included in annual training cycles.

While CCS-approved services are eligible to close early for training under national rules, the Department has encouraged providers to integrate training into broader professional development planning, and to communicate clearly with families about any temporary changes to operating hours.

The reforms and the Territory’s tailored training approach reflect a broader commitment to embedding a strong culture of child safety in early education settings.

By equipping educators with the tools and confidence to identify, report and prevent harm, the sector strengthens its role as a safe, trusted space for every child.

For more information about the NT’s child safety training requirements, visit: nt.gov.au/learning/early-childhood-education-and-care/child-safety