The latest National Quality Framework Snapshot for 1 January to 31 March 2026 follows the NSW Government’s early learning regulatory changes introduced in October 2025 and the establishment of the independent Early Learning Commission on 1 December 2025.

The ACECQA data reflects the Commission’s commitment to protecting children through decisive action, with NSW issuing 60 per cent of all statutory compliance actions in Q1 2026. This includes 100 per cent of infringement notices, 100 per cent of inappropriate person excluded notices, 66 per cent of emergency action notices and 49 per cent of compliance notices.

A key focus of the Commission has been on removing individuals and providers from the sector that fail to uphold children’s safety as the paramount consideration. There was a 200 per cent increase in prohibition notices to permanently ban people who pose an unacceptable risk to children from working in the sector in Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025. There was also a 57 per cent increase of inappropriate persons excluded, which refers to the temporary exclusion of individuals while a thorough investigation occurs.

Other key data from the quarter includes:

• Assessment and rating outcomes have continued to be strong with 93 per cent of services rated Meeting or above the National Quality Standard in this quarter, compared with 92 per cent nationally, with 19 per cent rated Exceeding or above.
• NSW has a 68 per cent improvement rate on reassessments for services previously rated Working Towards the National Quality Standard.
• NSW has assessed and rated 94 per cent of services, on par with the national average of 94 per cent.

NSW Early Learning Commissioner, Daryl Currie said:

“The Early Learning Commission has been focused on strengthening child safety and lifting standards across the early learning sector, and it is encouraging to see this reflected in the data.

“The Commission will not shy away from acting when we identify unsafe and noncompliant operators.

“Our goal is to ensure children’s safety is the paramount consideration for everyone involved in the early learning sector.”

MEDIA: Kate Hancock 0499 843 397 | media@earlylearningcommission.nsw.gov.au