Strengthening emergency and evacuation preparedness in Queensland ECEC services

Queensland’s early childhood regulatory authority has refreshed its guidance on emergency and evacuation requirements, reinforcing that preparedness is a core governance responsibility, not an operational afterthought. In a sector facing workforce pressures, complex service environments and increased regulatory scrutiny, services must be able to demonstrate that emergency systems, rehearsals and documentation are current, robust and tailored to their setting.

The message is clear: every service must be able to evacuate or enter lockdown safely, confidently and compliantly, every time.

Under Regulation 97(2) of the Education and Care Services National Regulations, each service must maintain a current, site-specific risk assessment covering all potential emergencies relevant to the service. These may include fire, medical emergencies, missing children, threatening persons, natural disasters, hazardous materials and building-specific risks such as multi-storey evacuation challenges.

Risk assessments must be reviewed at least every 12 months and updated whenever circumstances change, such as after renovations, room reconfigurations, altered access points or changes to neighbouring tenancies. They should also inform policy updates, procedures and staff training.

risk assessment is no longer simply a compliance document. Regulators expect it to actively shape service practice.

Emergency and evacuation policies and procedures must meet Regulation 168(2)(e) and Regulation 97(1). They must be practical, service-specific and aligned with the realities of the building, the service layout and the ages and capabilities of enrolled children.

This includes clear emergency instructions, a detailed floor plan and procedures that align with any building emergency management plan or fire engineering report, particularly in multi-storey premises. The department also recommends engaging a qualified emergency procedure expert to support compliance with both the National Regulations and the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008 (Qld).

Regulation 97(3) requires services to rehearse both evacuation and lockdown procedures at least once every three months. The expectation is not simply that rehearsals occur, but that they strengthen readiness.

Effective rehearsal practice includes varying the time of day, using different evacuation routes, testing different staffing arrangements and ensuring all educators, including casual team members, participate across the year. Each rehearsal should be documented, with learnings used to review and improve procedures.

Increasingly, regulators are looking for evidence that rehearsals support reflection and continuous improvement, rather than serving as a basic compliance exercise.

Under Regulation 97(4), emergency and evacuation floor plans must be displayed near each exit that forms part of an evacuation route, and in each activity room, sleep room and internal space leading to the assembly area. Plans must be accurate for the location in which they are displayed, easy to read and immediately usable by educators and visitors.

Each service must show at least two evacuation routes, primary and secondary, so educators can respond safely if one route is not available.

Services operating in multi-storey buildings must also account for stairwell access, lift restrictions, shared tenancy procedures, fire engineering requirements and safe access to assembly areas from upper levels. Alignment with the building’s emergency management plan is essential.

The update reflects a broader regulatory shift. Emergency preparedness is being treated as a leadership and governance responsibility, not simply an operational task.

Approved providers and service leaders should ensure that:

• risk assessments are current, detailed and actively used
• policies and procedures are site-specific and practical
• rehearsals are documented, reviewed and used to improve practice
• floor plans are accurate, accessible and up to date
• all educators, including new and casual staff, understand their roles
• multi-storey risks are fully considered and planned for

In a high-scrutiny environment, these requirements are essential safeguards for children, educators and the broader community.

Resource

For full guidance, refer to the Queensland Government resource:
Emergency and evacuation requirements for early childhood services (Department of Education, Queensland)