Partial reassessment and re-rating

In 2025, QECNT will be undertaking more partial reassessment and re-ratings, often referred to as a 'Partial'. Partial's may typically be used in a range of ways and for a range of reasons. Including, but not limited to:

• in response to trends and risks identified in the sector or within a service. For example, these may be identified through monitoring of compliance and/or in response to complaints or relevant notifications.
• to apply more targeted quality assessment and rating for services that have earned this approach through demonstrated consistent compliance and high quality over a sustained period.
• if there are changes to a service since it was last assessed (such as changes to a service's operations, management, leadership or physical environment). Changes may be identified, for example, through relevant notifications to the regulatory authority.

Quality Education and Care NT (QECNT) as the Regulatory Authority can schedule partials for services with an existing rating.

The most common time frame in the NT for a partial is:

• no earlier than 6 months after the previous published assessment and rating
• no later than 3 years after a previous full assessment and rating.

An approved provider may request a partial no more than once in a two-year period and a cost is associated. You can find more information on Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority's (ACECQA) website.

Partials will, in most cases, assess a minimum of four quality areas. A desktop audit of the service is conducted by an Authorised Officer to determine the quality areas for consideration.

A notice period is not required, however in most cases the approved provider will be contacted up to 5 days before to confirm the visit date and request the service’s quality improvement plan (QIP).

During this call the provider and service are provided the opportunity to self-select one quality area for reassessment. Unless agreed prior or when no notice is given, one day before the visit, an Authorised Officer will contact the approved provider and/or service to confirm the quality areas selected and confirm the select selected area also.

It should also be noted that the regulatory authority can choose to add more areas to a partial reassessment at any time during the process, including during any visit.

Partials will, in most instances, be conducted with a one-day visit to the service and will consist of observations, discussions and sighting of documentation.

When regulatory authorities schedule Assessment and Ratings including full and partials, the goal is to assess and rate the quality of services, drive continuous improvement and keep information for families and communities accurate and up to date. Nationally parties are being used more commonly to ensure that the quality rating at a service reflects the current state of the service. You can find more about the assessment and rating process, including the frequency and approach on the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority's website.