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What inspired the NQF?
The NQF was inspired by a newly elected Labor government’s
aspiration for national harmonisation of laws and consistency
of education and care quality for all children in Australia. Inclusive practices were a vital focus in increasing the attendance
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Funding accountability was also a factor in an increasingly marketised
sector. Yet the development and implementation of such a significant national reform were only possible through the collaborative efforts of diverse stakeholders guided by a set of
standards and strategies. The NQF remains characterised by
successes and challenges.
Who were the key stakeholders?
The Australian national government, state and territory governments, higher education institutions, peak and advocacy
bodies, ECEC providers, families and educators were the
stakeholders who developed the NQF. However, children were
largely absent from the conversation. State and territory governments and the newly formed Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority were empowered to implement the reforms (ACECQA, 2024).
How were regulations and standards formulated?
The National Quality Framework (NQF) development was informed by a substantial body of international evidence showing that participation in high-quality learning and developThe key components of the NQF
National Law and Regulations sets a standard for early childhood education and care across Australia. The National Regulations support the National Law with details on operational
requirements for early childhood education and care services.
The National Quality Standard (NQS) is a national early childhood education and care services benchmark. The standard promotes the safety, health, and well-being of children. The
NQS includes seven quality areas. Approved Learning Frameworks support and promote children’s learning. Educator to
Child Ratios provide the minimum qualification and educator-to-child ratio requirements for children’s education and
care services (ACECQA, 2024). Significant changes phased
in from 2012 resulted in an improved regime of qualifications
from certificates to diplomas and bachelor’s degrees.
The NQF applies to most early education and care providers
and services, including centre-based education and care, family day care, outside school hours care, preschool, and kindergarten. This equates to 1,484,720 children from 1,059,990 families attending an approved service. In December 2023, 49.2%
of children aged 0 to 5 and 34.4% of children aged 0 to 12 used
education and care (Australian Government Department of
Education, 2023).
20
ment experiences prior to school significantly contributes to
better life outcomes for children (ACECQA, 2024). The National Quality Standard (NQS) is a key framework component. The
NQS consists of seven quality areas: educational program and
practice, children’s health and safety, physical environment,
staffing arrangements, relationships with children, collaborative partnerships with families and communities, and governance and leadership.
What strategies enabled the successful implementation
of the NQF?
The first practical step was to align the disparate licensing and
accreditation systems across Australia. Evidence-informed
standards, learning frameworks, and staffing arrangements
were embedded within the law and regulations, ensuring a difficult ‘wind-back’ process if subsequent governments had a
change of heart over the reforms. Further strategies for implementing the NQF included a nationally funded professional
development program for educators, communication campaigns with families, parents, and the broader community
about the changes, and exemplifying professional pride and
identity through the national learning frameworks.
