Is there light at the end of the tunnel? The Sector Connect+ explores regulatory oversight in ECEC

Never before have approved providers, CEOs and executive leaders faced such a complex and rapidly evolving compliance landscape.

From amendments to the Education and Care Services National Law and National Regulations to heightened regulatory oversight, increasing public scrutiny and growing expectations around governance and organisational accountability, many sector leaders are asking the same question:

What do these reforms actually mean in practice?

That question will shape the opening session of The Sector Connect+ ECEC Compliance & Risk Forum 2026, where senior sector leaders will examine how organisations can move beyond understanding legislative change to embedding strong governance, practical systems and sustainable compliance.

Held under the theme Beyond Compliance: From Response to Recovery, the forum has been developed in response to increasing demand for practical guidance on managing organisational risk while maintaining quality outcomes for children, families and educators.

Moderated by The Sector Publishing CEO Jason Roberts, Panel 1,  Policy in Practice: Understanding the Complexities of Regulatory Oversight – Is There a Light at the End of the Tunnel?, will bring together Australian Childcare Alliance National President Paul Mondo and Dandolo Associate Director Stacey Fox.

Drawing on their combined experience in provider leadership, governance and policy, the discussion will explore the regulatory, organisational and leadership challenges shaping the early childhood education and care sector.

Why this conversation matters

Across Australia, providers are navigating increasing complexity. Boards are asking new questions, executive teams are strengthening governance, approved providers are reviewing organisational systems, and leadership teams are seeking greater clarity about regulatory expectations while balancing quality, workforce pressures and organisational sustainability.

The reality is that compliance can no longer sit with one individual or one department.

Australian Childcare Alliance National President Paul Mondo said providers were seeking greater clarity as regulatory expectations continued to evolve.

"Approved providers are navigating significant reform while continuing to manage workforce pressures, service quality and the day-to-day realities of operating early learning services," Mr Mondo said.

"Leaders need opportunities to examine what these changes mean in practice, ask difficult questions and hear how others are strengthening governance and managing risk across their organisations."

For many providers, understanding how others have successfully navigated change is just as valuable as understanding the legislation itself.

The Sector Publishing CEO Jason Roberts said the forum had been developed in response to growing demand from sector leaders seeking practical guidance.

"The message from the sector has been clear. Leaders need candid, practical insight into what reform means for governance, decision-making and everyday operations," Mr Roberts said.

"This forum will create space for the conversations providers are asking for, including what happens when systems are tested, how leaders respond and what organisations can learn from those experiences."

Moving beyond compliance

Compliance today extends well beyond understanding legislation.

It is about governance.

It is about leadership.

Dandolo Associate Director Stacey Fox said:

"Policies need to be interpreted and contextualised, built into provider and service processes and routines, and the service leaders who are implementing the change need a deep understanding of 'the why' to make sure they can connect new policy with practice change.

"Approved providers must also create the conditions for teachers and educators to adopt new ways of working."

Throughout the session, panellists will explore:

• recent amendments to the National Law and Regulations
• national reform priorities and jurisdictional alignment
• evolving regulator expectations
• approved provider accountability and governance obligations
• translating policy into practical systems and leadership decisions
• what providers should be preparing for next.

Each panellist will also step beyond theory to share a real leadership experience.

They will reflect on a compliance, quality or organisational risk challenge they have faced, what happened, what they learnt and how that experience continues to shape the way they lead today.

Practical insight for sector leaders

Designed for approved providers, CEOs, executive leaders, nominated supervisors and governance professionals, Panel 1 will provide delegates with practical insight into how experienced leaders are interpreting reform, managing organisational risk and strengthening governance across their organisations.

Rather than leaving delegates with more questions than answers, the session aims to provide practical ideas that can be applied immediately within services and organisations.

Event details

Date: Friday 4 September 2026
Location: Waterview, Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park
Time: 8.30am registration | 9am start - 4.30pm close

As the sector continues to evolve, The Sector Connect+ ECEC Compliance & Risk Forum 2026 – Beyond Compliance: From Response to Recovery  provides an opportunity for leaders to come together, learn from experienced practitioners and explore practical strategies for building safer, stronger and more resilient organisations.

If compliance, governance and organisational risk are among the most significant leadership challenges facing the sector, this forum has been designed to deliver the conversations leaders have been asking for.

This is the final week to secure Early Bird pricing before registrations close on Friday, 31 July 2026.

Further speaker announcements and program details will be released over the coming weeks.