National mandatory child safety training

From 27 February 2026 the following people involved in ECEC must complete mandatory national child safety training as part of the national child safety reform initiatives:

• all persons with management or control
• nominated supervisors
• persons in day-to-day charge
• family day care educators
• other staff, volunteers and students.

Available on the Geccko online learning platform, existing staff must complete the Foundation training modules by 27 August 2026. Following this date new staff must complete the Foundation training modules within 14 days of being employed, engaged or appointed at the service or before they start working directly with children at the service (whichever is earlier).

All staff must recomplete the foundation training every 2 years.

An advanced training module will be available on the Geccko online learning platform from July 2026.

The child safety training does not replace the existing child protection training requirements detailed on this page.

Child protection training

In NSW, the following people have additional child protection training requirements under Section 162A of the Children (Education and Care Services) National Law and in line with the Government Protocol:

• nominated supervisors
• persons in day-to-day charge
• family day care co-ordinators.

Other relevant persons including approved providers, educators, employees, contractors and volunteers can meet their child protection training requirements by completing the prescribed national child safety training required under Section 162B of the National Law.

Approved providers should continue ensuring all staff complete the training required for their role.

Education and Care Services Government Protocol – Child Protection Training 2026

An updated Government Protocol has been developed by the Commission specifying the child protection training that is approved in NSW for the purposes of section 162A of the National Law.

Read the protocol on the Directions and guidelines page.

Refresher training

The term “refresher course” is an industry term referring to training designed to assist the participant in demonstrating up-to-date knowledge of a previously studied topic. A refresher training course does not necessarily have a course code or provide any formal accreditation, such as a certificate.

Refresher training is relevant to demonstrate compliance with Regulation 84 and Quality Area 2.

Compliance with Section 162A requires completion of one of these approved courses delivered by an accredited course provider. Section 162A does not require “refresher training”.

Ongoing requirement to maintain awareness of child protection responsibilities

Approved providers have ongoing responsibilities to ensure that the nominated supervisor, staff members, volunteers and students at the service who work with children maintain up-to-date knowledge and understand child protection law (Regulation 84). This includes ensuring all persons listed understand their obligations as mandatory reporters, and know when and how to make a report.

While Section 162A does not mandate an expiry period on child protection training courses or issued certificates, Regulation 84 requires approved providers to ensure understanding of current child protection law and any obligations that they may have under that law.

To ensure child protection awareness is current and up-to-date, approved providers should:

• assess the currency of child protection awareness and understanding of every staff member working with children at the start of their employment and during staff appraisals
• ensure all legislative child safety and child protection training requirements are met
• ensure staff undertake child protection ‘refresher’ training every 12 – 24 months, and whenever significant changes are made to the child protection law or reporting requirements
• regularly generate staff discussions and revise practices within the service.

Summary of child protection training and awareness requirements

• has evidence of the successful completion of approved child protection training
• is aware of current child protection law (Regulation 84)
• can explain their obligations to apply child protection law within their service (Regulation 84(3))
• is aware of their obligations under that Law, such as the responsibilities of a mandatory reporter (Regulation 84).

(4) Ensure that all staff members, volunteers and students who work with children have been advised of and understand:

• the existence and application of the current child protection law (Section 162A)
• the application of the Government Protocol in NSW
• any obligations that they may have under the law (Regulation 84(3)).

(5) Ensure that the service has:

• policies and procedures in place relating to the provision of a child safe environment (Regulation 168(2)(h)
• in the case of a family day care service, policies and procedures in place to provide information, assistance and training to educators (Regulation 169(2)(g)).

National Quality Standard

Compliance with Section 162A and Regulation 84 is essential for regulatory compliance and meeting the National Quality Standard.

• Quality Area 2, Element 2.2.3: Child protection requires management, educators and staff to be aware of their roles and responsibilities to identify and respond to every child at risk of abuse or neglect.

Considerations for service providers

• Does the service’s Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) provide a focus point for high quality child protection practice within the service?
• Does the service have a child protection policy and child safe environment policy, and ensure all policies and procedures are active and regularly reviewed?
• Do all staff members feel confident to follow the child protection policy and procedure?
• Is child protection and child safety a standard agenda item at staff meetings?
• Do educators participate in child protection and child safety learning activities, discussions, and webinars?
• Is child protection information readily available to staff members and families?
• Are families aware that staff members are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse and neglect to government authorities?
• Does the service have a Code of Conduct, and ensure all educators practice appropriate interactions with children (Regulation 155)?

Resources and related links

NSW Communities and Justice

In NSW, the responsible agency for child protection is NSW Communities and Justice. For further information about child protection responsibilities, contact the NSW Child Protection Helpline (24/7) by calling 132 111.

Office of the Children’s Guardian

The NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian is an independent government agency which works to protect children by promoting and regulating quality, child safe organisations and services. Information about creating child safe environments is available on their website. Visit the Office of the Children's Guardian website for more information.