Advanced child safety training now available as national ECEC reforms continue

Australia's national child safety reforms have reached another significant milestone, with the release of the Advanced Child Safety training for the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector.

Available now through the Australian Government's Geccko online learning platform, the advanced training represents the next stage of the mandatory national child safety training package, helping educators, leaders and providers strengthen safeguarding practice and embed child-safe cultures across education and care services. 

The training has been developed by the Australian Centre for Child Protection in partnership with the Queensland Government on behalf of all Australian governments and supports the sector to meet its legal child safety obligations, strengthen safeguarding practices and reduce harm to children. 

The rollout forms part of the National Child Safety Reform initiative endorsed by Australia's Education Ministers in 2025 and applies to services operating under the National Quality Framework and the Child Care Subsidy Minister's Rules. 

The Advanced Child Safety training builds on the Foundation Child Safety courses already being completed across the sector.

The advanced suite includes:

• Course 3: Creating child safe cultures through everyday practice
• Course 4: Responding to safeguarding concerns
• Course 5: Leading and governing child safety (expected to be available from 30 September 2026) 

While the foundation courses focus on understanding child safety and recognising abuse and neglect, the advanced training shifts attention to the practical application of safeguarding principles through leadership, organisational culture, decision-making and governance.

The advanced training requirements vary depending on a person's role within the service.

Nominated supervisors, persons in day-to-day charge and staff who work directly with children are required to complete Courses 3 and 4. Persons with management or control (PMCs) will also be required to complete Course 5 once it becomes available. Staff who do not work directly with children, along with volunteers and students, are required to complete the Foundation Child Safety training only. 

Providers are responsible for determining which training applies to each worker based on their role, duties and level of contact with children, taking a precautionary and risk-based approach where necessary. 

Although Courses 3 and 4 are now available, providers are not expected to complete the advanced training immediately.

Under the National Law, people required to undertake the advanced training will have six months from the publication of Course 5 to complete all required advanced courses. Individuals entering the sector after Course 5 becomes available will be required to complete the advanced training within three months of commencing employment.

All workers will also be required to complete refresher training every two years to maintain their knowledge and capability. 

The national child safety training is available only through Geccko, the Australian Government's online learning platform for the ECEC sector.

Each learner must establish their own Geccko account using a personal email address, enrol in the courses required for their role and retain their completion certificates as evidence of training. Training delivered through other platforms or providers does not satisfy the mandatory national requirement. 

Providers are responsible for collecting evidence of completion and recording the required training within the National Worker Register. 

Recognising the time commitment involved in completing the mandatory training, the Australian Government has made support available to eligible providers.

Child Care Subsidy-approved services may claim support for service closures of up to five hours each year after 5.00 pm to allow staff to complete the training. Providers may also be eligible to apply for a professional development subsidy to help cover staff wages while training is undertaken. Only one form of support can be claimed for the same training hours. 

The release of the Advanced Child Safety courses marks another important step in Australia's nationally consistent approach to protecting children in education and care settings.

While completing the training is a mandatory requirement, its broader purpose extends beyond compliance. By strengthening leadership capability, supporting informed decision-making and embedding child-safe cultures into everyday practice, the advanced training aims to help services create environments where children's safety and wellbeing remain at the centre of every decision. 

Access the updates and information here.