Resources & Legislation
The regulatory framework, done for you - in one place!
Every child care centre and early years education service must have formal Approved Provider status prior to Service Approval being granted. All owners need to know the legislation, regulations, and guidance that govern their service. Here are the primary sources with plain English descriptions of what each one covers.
National Authority
ACECQA
Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority
ACECQA is the national authority responsible for guiding the implementation of the National Quality Framework across Australia. It maintains the national registers of approved providers and services, publishes guidance materials, and supports regulatory authorities in each state and territory.
Visit ACECQANational Registers
Search the national registers to verify the approval status of providers and services across Australia.
Search the registersApproved Provider Resources
Guidance materials, fact sheets, and templates specifically for Approved Providers.
View provider resourcesAssessment and Rating
Information about the Assessment and Rating process, including the rating scale and how services are assessed against the National Quality Standard.
Learn about A&RRegulatory Framework
National Quality Framework
The NQF is the overarching regulatory framework for education and care services in Australia. It was introduced in 2012 and applies to most long day care, family day care, outside school hours care, and preschool/kindergarten services. The NQF comprises the National Law, National Regulations, the National Quality Standard, and the Assessment and Rating process.
Explore the NQFThe 7 Quality Areas
Primary Legislation
National Law & Regulations
Education and Care Services National Law
The primary legislation underpinning the NQF. The National Law establishes the legal framework for the regulation of education and care services, including the requirements for all Services and Approved Providers, Approved Services, Nominated Supervisors, and Responsible Persons. It sets out the approval process, compliance and enforcement powers, and offence provisions.
Key provisions
- Part 2 — Provider approvals and service approvals
- Part 3 — Staffing requirements and Nominated Supervisors
- Part 4 — Operational requirements
- Part 5 — Assessment and rating
- Part 6 — Compliance and enforcement
Education and Care Services National Regulations
The National Regulations set out the detailed operational requirements for approved services. They cover staffing ratios, qualification requirements, physical environment standards, health and safety obligations, documentation and record-keeping, and the mandatory policies and procedures that every Approved Provider must maintain.
Key provisions
- Regulations 55–56 — Staffing and supervision
- Regulations 73–79 — Qualifications
- Regulations 100–115 — Physical environment
- Regulations 160–172 — Health and safety
- Regulation 168 — Policies and procedures
Jurisdiction
State and territory regulatory authorities
While the NQF is a national framework, it is administered by the regulatory authority in each state and territory. Your regulatory authority is responsible for approving providers and services, conducting compliance visits, and taking enforcement action in your jurisdiction.
Disclaimer: Links on this page connect to official government and regulatory authority websites. Approved Provider Advisory Group does not control the content of external sites and cannot guarantee their currency. Always verify requirements directly with your regulatory authority or ACECQA.
Need help navigating these requirements?
Knowing the legislation is one thing — applying it to your specific service is another. We translate regulatory requirements into practical action for providers across Australia.