National Childcare Safety Reforms Information Session
On 30 July 2025, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children partnered with the Australian Government Department of Education to deliver a national information session on proposed Federal Childcare Safety Reforms.
The national online information session was co-hosted by Catherine Liddle (CEO, SNAICC) and featured speakers from the Department of Education, including:
- Brendan Moon – First Assistant Secretary, Child Care Division, Australian Government Department of Education
- Alana Winslow – Acting First Assistant Secretary, Early Learning Programs
- Stephen Moger – Assistant Secretary, Regulatory Policy & Strategy Branch, Australian Government Department of Education
The information session provided an overview of the proposed Federal Childcare Safety Reforms and their implications for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Education and Care services. The session included an outline of legislative changes and a moderated Q&A covering pre-submitted and live questions from the audience.
Summary of the information session
The online information session focused on clarifying the intent and scope of the National Childcare Safety reforms.
Australian Government Department of Education representatives stressed that the reforms aim to strengthen child safety while supporting services already doing the right thing, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled services. Additionally, concerns around male educators were addressed with reassurance that there are no planned restrictions.
The Department of Education representatives acknowledged the need to co-design culturally safe approaches to unannounced spot checks and mandatory reporting. Workforce attraction and retention remain key priorities, with further reforms under consideration, with upcoming mandatory child safe training and a national review of Early Childhood Education and Care qualifications will seek to improve sector standards.
The Department of Education committed to open, ongoing dialogue with SNAICC and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector to ensure culturally safe, proportionate implementation of reforms.
Find out more about the Early Childhood Education and Care (Strengthening Regulation of Early Education) Bill 2025 in the link below.
Early Childhood Education and Care Bill 2025Contact
Please reach out to info@snaicc.org.au for further information and access to the recording.