Education ministers must agree on a path to national childcare oversight

MEDIA STATEMENT

November 9, 2026

Education ministers must agree on a path to national childcare oversight

New figures show 93 per cent of rated early learning services meet or exceed national standards, but families still need a clear plan for stronger oversight and services where they are needed.

The Parenthood has welcomed ministers’ agreement last week on a shared purpose and stewardship principles for a potential National Early Education and Care Commission, alongside new figures showing the highest proportion of services meeting or exceeding the National Quality Standard on record.

But The Parenthood says progress must lead to action, urging ministers to reconvene at the first possible date in January to agree a clear timetable and funding to establish the commission.

“It is encouraging to see more services meeting the National Quality Standard, and that reflects the work of educators and services. But families need confidence that every child can access safe, high-quality early learning in their community, and that requires a system with clear accountability,” The Parenthood CEO Georgie Dent said.

The latest National Quality Framework Snapshot, released by ACECQA, found 93 per cent of services with a quality rating were Meeting the National Quality Standard or above. It also recorded 6,925 service visits in the quarter and staffing waivers at 3.6 per cent of services, the lowest level since 2015.

Ministers agreed the proposed commission should provide national leadership to put children’s rights, safety and best interests first, and strengthen transparency, accountability and public confidence. Functions agreed in principle include insights on supply and demand, market shape and workforce development, and a strategic approach to quality, safety and regulation.

The Parenthood said this was a useful foundation, but the commission must have a clear mandate to plan services where families need them, support the viability of high-quality community and not-for-profit centres, address affordability and ensure parents are at the decision-making table.

Ministers also agreed to strengthen supervision arrangements, including regulatory change to define adequate supervision, and develop a National Model Code for when educators working towards a qualification can count in educator-to-child ratios. The Parenthood welcomed this progress but said the code must be mandatory.

“Ratios are one of the most basic protections children have. A voluntary code means some children are protected and others are not, depending on which centre their parents can get into. No provider should be able to opt in or out of child safety,” The Parenthood said.

This followed the federal government’s response, tabled last week, to the Senate Education and Employment References Committee’s report, Quality and safety of Australia’s early childhood education and care system, fully supported just one of the report’s 23 recommendations, which it had already implemented, and noted 14. It cited shared state and territory responsibility more than 20 times as a reason for noting recommendations rather than committing to action.

“Shared responsibility was cited more than 20 times as a reason for the federal government not to act. That’s exactly why we need someone in charge – a national commission with real powers,” Ms Dent said.

“The commission must have a clear planning role and help shift the system over time from demand-driven funding to planned, supply-side funding that builds services where families need them.

“The number of high-quality community and not-for-profit centres closing is deeply concerning. More parents are writing each week to tell us their centre is closing. Add the collapse of multiple chains, and we can see the consequences for families when planning and accountability fall short.”

ENDS

The Parenthood has a mission to make Australia the best place in the world to raise a family. We’re Australia’s largest advocacy organisation representing 86,000 parents and carers. We campaign for the social and community infrastructure that families and our nation need. Early learning that is affordable and good. Parental leave that works. Workplaces that don't push you for having caring responsibilities. Parenthood that is affordable. We advocate for systems, policies and workplaces that make raising children easier, fairer and more achievable for modern families. Because when parents are supported, children flourish and when children flourish, Australia prospers. Supporting families is nation-building in the truest sense. When we invest in families and the social infrastructure that supports them, children, communities, and businesses thrive, and our country benefits.