Child safety changes - key information

In 2025 education ministers agreed to a comprehensive package of reforms to strengthen child safety. It was agreed that ensuring child safety and wellbeing is a shared national priority.

Several significant reforms have already been introduced to strengthen child safety and oversight within education and care services.

These changes include:

• enhanced child protection requirements
• stricter reporting obligations
• stronger worker screening measures
• expanded regulatory authority powers
• improved management of digital technologies and devices
• the establishment of a National Early Childhood Worker Register.

You may have also heard about further changes to strengthen safety and quality in early childhood education and care (ECEC). In July 2026, education ministers agreed in critical reforms to further strengthen child safety in ECEC including:

• strengthening supervision practices
• increasing transparency for families
• improving whistleblower protections
• ensuring person with management and control remain fit and proper.
• Safer fencing and more.

Read more information about quality and safety on the Department of Education website.

It was agreed that all jurisdictions, including the NT will be actively regulating these restrictions. QECNT will support this process through discussions during service visits and phone contact.

We will ask to see your new ‘safe use of digital technologies and online environments’ policy and procedure and discuss with you how you are ensuring safe use of technology, including the restrictions on taking images of children with personal devices and utilising service issued devices only.

We understand that context is important in all legislative changes including these, and we are happy to answer any question you may have.

Contact the team to speak to an authorised officer on 08 8999 3561 or email qualityecnt.det@education.nt.gov.au.