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National Law passed in Queensland

The Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland) Bill 2011 has been passed by Queensland parliament, establishing new legislation for more than 2600 early childhood services in Queensland from 1 January 2012.

This legislation underpins the new National Quality Framework (NQF) which will apply to long day care, family day care, outside school hours care, pre-prep and kindergarten services and replaces Queensland's Child Care Act 2002 and Child Care Regulation 2003.

Queensland's legislation was introduced under an applied laws process which saw Victoria, as host jurisdiction, pass the Act in 2010 which established the NQF. The Queensland Law also outlines how this National Law will operate with other Queensland legislative and administrative processes, such as the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The National Quality Framework will see a new quality rating system introduced for early childhood services, more educators and enhanced educator qualification requirements.

This significant milestone has occurred through close consultation with the early childhood sector and the Department will continue to work closely with state and territory governments, key child care and early learning stakeholders and families to implement the new national reforms.

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