Information on becoming an approved child care service

Information on becoming an approved child care service

There are three forms of approved child care services, each of which have slightly different requirements for approval.

Registration of New Child Care Services: 1 November 2011 to 31 December 2011

In preparation for the introduction of the National Quality Framework in January 2012, the National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC) is winding down the Child Care Quality Assurance systems. From 1 November 2011, NCAC will cease registering services as participants in Child Care Quality Assurance. NCAC registration is a requirement for Child Care Benefit Approval.

To ensure that no centre based long day care, family day care or out of school hours care service is adversely impacted by this change; alternative arrangements have been put in place by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).

DEEWR has determined that centre-based long day care, family day care and out of school hours care services:

  • applying to DEEWR for Child Care Benefit Approval from 1 November 2011; or
  • that applied to DEEWR before 1 November 2011 and whose application has not been processed

will be exempt from the requirement to register with NCAC (and therefore from the requirement to participate in Child Care Quality Assurance).

All services are required to continue to operate, where applicable, within the existing state and territory regulations and maintain quality service provision.  Information on state and territory regulations can be found at: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS,  NT, and ACT.

From 1 January 2012

Most long day care, family day care, preschool (kindergarten in some jurisdictions) and outside school hours care will be covered by the National Quality Framework.

The National Quality Framework provides a national regulatory system aimed at improving quality and reducing administrative burden for early childhood education and care services.

The National Quality Framework will put in place a new National Quality Standard to ensure high quality and consistent early childhood education and care across Australia.

State and territory Regulatory Authorities

The primary role of Regulatory Authorities is to administer the National Quality Framework. The system has been designed so that 99 per cent of all service interactions are with the jurisdiction-based Regulatory Authority.

This streamlined approach will mean services that have previously been dealing with one or more Regulatory Authorities and a separate accreditation system will only need to deal with one authority and will have more time focus on providing high-quality education and care.

Information on the National Quality Framework is available at: www.acecqa.gov.au

For more information services can contact DEEWR Child Care Access Hotline on 1800 670 305.

Centre Based Long Day Care Service

  • Application for Approval Under the Family Assistance Law for the Purposes of Child Care Benefit - Centre Based Long Day Care
    ( PDF 126KB)
  • The Legislative Extracts for Approval and Continued Approval under the Family Assistance Law
    (PDF 527KB | RTF 479KB)

    * This contains applicant's legal obligations which must be read and understood.
  • Checklist for new service operators
    ( PDF 147KB | RTF 1.00MB)

Family Day Care Service

  • Application for Approval Under the Family Assistance Law for the Purposes of Child Care Benefit - Family Day Care Service
    ( PDF 128KB)
  • The Legislative Extracts for Approval and Continued Approval under the Family Assistance Law
    (PDF 527KB | RTF 479KB)

    * This contains applicant's legal obligations which must be read and understood.
  • Checklist for new service operators
    ( PDF 147KB | RTF 1.00MB)

Outside School Hours Care Service

  • Application for Approval Under the Family Assistance Law for the Purposes of Child Care Benefit (Outside School Hours Care Service) 
    ( PDF 130KB)
  • The Legislative Extracts for Approval and Continued Approval under the Family Assistance Law 
    (PDF 527KB | RTF 479KB)

    * This contains applicant's legal obligations which must be read and understood.
  • Checklist for new service operators
    ( PDF 147KB | RTF 1.00MB)

    • *     Note: This form should be submitted at the same time as the Application for Approval Under the Family Assistance Law for the Purposes of Child Care Benefit (Outside School Hours Care) Form.
  • Notification of Changed Number of OSHC Places Being Offered by an Existing Service Form
    ( PDF 67KB | RTF 649KB)