Don’t forget! New transportation requirements for centre-based services start in March

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services that provide transportation to children, regularly or on a sporadic basis, are reminded of upcoming changes to the National Regulations that come into effect from 1 March 2023. 

Providers and services should plan to update their policy, procedure and practice to ensure they are compliant when the new laws are implemented.

The main changes are as follows: 

Children must be supervised when embarking or disembarking a vehicle

A nominated supervisor or staff member other than the driver must account for children as they get in or out of a vehicle at an education and care service. 

Keep records that confirm each child is accounted for

The approved provider and nominated supervisor must ensure that records are kept for regular transportation that confirm each child was accounted for when embarking and disembarking the vehicle at the service premises.

Records must show:

1. Each child was observed to embark and disembark the vehicle
2. How children were accounted for at the service premises.

Records must confirm that a check of the vehicle is made to ensure no children are left on the vehicle.

Approved providers and nominated supervisors must ensure that records are made confirming a check of the inside of the vehicle was completed at the service after all children have left to ensure no children remain.

A sample safe transportation of children safety checklist and regular transportation record form provided by ACECQA can guide services in meeting these requirements.  

Notify the regulatory authority of changes to transportation

The approved provider must notify the regulatory authority within seven days of any change to whether regular transportation is provided or arranged by the service.

Services should also check their service details on NQAITS to ensure the system accurately reflects transport provided at each service.

For more information on the upcoming changes, please see here.