6 November 2026
Latest News
Australia's Federal and State Education Ministers met on Tuesday 3 November 2026 to discuss a range of proposed child safety reforms for the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, including the establishment of a national Early Education and Care Commission, potential CCTV requirements and strengthened supervision arrangements.
The official Education Ministers Meeting Communiqué released following the meeting, outlines the next steps for several significant reforms being closely followed by the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) and the broader ECEC sector.
While no definitive decisions were announced on several key proposals, Ministers agreed to progress further measures aimed at strengthening child safety, accountability and national oversight of the sector.
Proposed Early Education and Care Commission
Education Ministers considered feedback from stakeholder consultations, including ACA's detailed submission, on the proposed establishment of a national Early Education and Care Commission.
Following their initial agreement in July 2026 to explore the establishment of the Commission, Ministers have now agreed on its proposed purpose and agreed in principle to several key functions.
These include:
- Providing national leadership to strengthen child safety, accountability and public confidence in the ECEC sector.
- Improving transparency and understanding of sector performance, quality and outcomes.
- Providing analysis and insights into supply and demand, market structure and workforce development.
- Supporting a more strategic approach to quality, safety and regulation across the sector.
Ministers also agreed on shared principles to guide how governments, a potential Commission and the ECEC sector could work together to support effective stewardship of the system.
While these developments provide greater clarity about the potential role of the Commission, a formal decision to establish the new body has not yet been announced, and implementation arrangements remain to be confirmed.
CCTV in ECEC services
Education Ministers also considered the findings of the National Assessment of CCTV use in ECEC settings, which drew on information collected from more than 300 services and was supported by an expert reference panel comprising child protection, law enforcement, privacy and surveillance specialists.
Following consideration of the findings, Ministers agreed to develop national best practice guidance on the use of CCTV in ECEC settings.
No decision was announced to introduce mandatory CCTV requirements for ECEC services, although the possibility of future regulatory requirements has not been formally ruled out.
The development of national guidance represents a further step in considering how CCTV may be used appropriately in early learning environments, taking into account child safety, privacy and other relevant considerations.
Further child safety and supervision reforms
Ministers also agreed to progress additional measures aimed at strengthening child safety and supervision arrangements across ECEC services.
These include:
- Strengthening supervision requirements: Progressing regulatory changes to define the factors that should be considered when determining whether supervision of children is adequate.
- Working Towards Qualification arrangements: Developing a voluntary National Model Code addressing when educators who are working towards a qualification may be counted in educator-to-child ratios.
While Ministers have agreed to progress these reforms, further details are yet to be provided regarding the specific requirements, implementation arrangements and timeframes.
What happens next?
The latest Education Ministers Meeting provides further direction on several significant reforms aimed at strengthening child safety, quality and accountability across Australia's ECEC sector.
However, important details remain to be resolved, particularly regarding how the proposed changes would be implemented and their practical implications for service providers.
No specific implementation dates have been announced for these reforms, and the latest communiqué does not introduce any immediate new compliance requirements for ECEC services.
The ACA will continue to engage with governments as these proposals develop, advocating for reforms that strengthen child safety and quality while ensuring regulatory requirements are clear, practical and proportionate.
ACA remains committed to supporting a strong, safe and high-quality ECEC sector, with the wellbeing of children at the centre of ongoing reform.
Education Ministers are scheduled to meet again in 2027.
Read the full Education Ministers Meeting Communiqué here for further details.
