ACECQA Updates for OSHC Leaders

ACECQA has released its updated Assessment and Rating preparation guide for 2026, with revised self-assessment templates and updated evidence guidance for all seven Quality Areas. Services are encouraged to review the new documentation before their next scheduled visit.

ACECQA has published the NQF Annual Report for 2025, showing that 71% of OSHC services nationally are rated Meeting NQS or above. The report highlights child-led programming and family engagement as the two strongest improvement areas for services aiming for Exceeding.

Following the 2026 NQS refinements, Quality Area 7 (Governance and Leadership) now explicitly includes child safety as a governance responsibility. Assessors will look for evidence that leadership actively monitors child safety practice, makes resourcing decisions based on safety outcomes, and ensures accountability systems are in place. For OSHC services, QIP goals, team meeting minutes, and compliance monitoring systems should all reference child safety as a leadership priority — not just a policy matter.

ACECQA has updated the National Quality Standard Assessment and Rating Instrument to reflect the 1 January 2026 NQS refinements. The revised instrument includes updated evidence indicators for QA2 and QA7 that explicitly reference child safety governance. OSHC services preparing for Assessment and Rating should review the updated instrument to understand what authorised officers will be looking for, particularly around embedded child safety practice and leadership accountability.

From 1 January 2026, the National Quality Standard has been refined to explicitly embed child safety within Quality Area 2 (Children's Health and Safety) and Quality Area 7 (Governance and Leadership). Assessors will now look for evidence that child safety is not an add-on but is woven through health and safety practice, leadership decision-making, and continuous improvement. OSHC services should update their QIP, supervision plans, and governance documentation to reflect this change.

ACECQA has released updated guidance following the National Quality Framework review, with new emphasis on child-led programming and documentation practices under Quality Area 1. OSHC services should review their QIP against the revised standards by the end of the year.

The updated My Time, Our Place framework (V2.0) implementation resources are now available on the ACECQA website. These include revised practice guides, self-assessment tools, and case studies from services that have successfully embedded the new framework.

ACECQA has updated its guidance on demonstrating Exceeding status under Theme 3 — Critical Reflection. The new guide includes practical examples of how services can embed reflective practice into everyday programming, with specific examples relevant to OSHC contexts.

From 1 September 2025, the Education and Care Services National Regulations require services to have policies and procedures for the safe use of digital technologies and online environments. This includes requirements for device management, photo and video permissions, online storage of child images, and staff use of personal devices. OSHC services must document their digital technology policy and ensure educators can demonstrate consistent implementation.

From 1 September 2025, Regulation 82 prohibits vaping substances and devices at all approved education and care services, including OSHC. Services must update their smoke-free and vape-free policies, display appropriate signage, and include vaping prohibition in visitor and contractor induction processes. Exceeding evidence includes community education and documented enforcement processes.

Updated National Regulations from 1 September 2025 have tightened notification timeframes for serious incidents involving physical and sexual harm. OSHC services must ensure their child protection policies, mandatory reporting flowcharts, and staff training reflect the new response obligations. Assessors will look for evidence of scenario-based training, not just policy acknowledgement, when assessing compliance with these strengthened requirements.

My Time, Our Place V2.0 (2022) is now the sole approved learning framework for all Australian OSHC services. The transition period has ended. Services must ensure all programming, documentation, and QIP references align with MTOP V2.0 language and the five updated Learning Outcomes. Key V2.0 additions include stronger emphasis on children's agency, wellbeing, cultural responsiveness, and digital literacy across all five outcomes.

ACECQA guidance confirms three Exceeding themes apply across all Quality Areas: (1) Practice is embedded in service operations — not just documented but consistently lived; (2) Practice is informed by critical reflection — educators regularly examine and improve their approach; (3) Practice is shaped by meaningful engagement with families and the community. For OSHC services, demonstrating all three themes requires visible child voice, family partnership evidence, and documented reflective cycles in the QIP.