ACA backs stronger regulations to prioritise child safety

The following text is lifted from an ACA Media Release - Thursday 27 March  2025:

As the Minister for Early Childhood Education, the Hon Dr Anne Aly MP, today acknowledged that the vast majority of children in early childhood education and care are well looked after, with providers prioritising child safety and well-being.

However, the goal of strengthening integrity across the care economy to identify and act against non-compliant services is welcomed by the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA).

ACA President Paul Mondo said ACA is deeply committed to a high-quality Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector for all children and would continue to engage with the Federal Government as it explores measures to ensure children’s well-being.

“There is nothing more important than the safety and wellbeing of children - it is at the heart of the ECEC system, and we support zero tolerance for child abuse or maltreatment,” he said.

“As a sector, ECEC is governed by a combination of laws, regulations and ethical codes to protect children from harm and, despite their robustness, there is still room for improvement. The sector welcomes these recommendations and the support required for some services to adhere to them.”

The new measures announced today by the Federal Government include strengthened powers to deal with providers that pose an integrity risk and powers to prevent providers who persistently fail to meet minimum standards and repetitively breach the National Law from opening new Child Care Subsidy approved services.

Minister Aly also signalled compliance action would be taken against existing providers with egregious and continued breaches, including the option to cut off access to Child Care Subsidy funding where appropriate.

Mr Mondo said ACA would continue to work with the government as it implements these new measures.

“ACA is pleased that its call for enhanced safeguarding and a national approach to compliance, transparency, and working with children has been recognised. We will continue working productively with the government to ensure these measures are robust and effective and that the professional early childhood workforce and wider sector are effectively supported,” Mr Mondo said.

ENDS

Media enquiries: Anne Wright 0411 035 694 a.wright@cprcomm.com.au