Committee: Education and Employment References Committee
Date referred: 25 August 2025
Submissions close: 03 October 2025
Reporting date: 10 March 2026

Terms of Reference

The quality and safety of Australia’s early childhood education and care system, with particular reference to:

1. the health and safety of children in childcare services across the country;
2. the effectiveness of Australia’s childcare regulatory system, including the performance and resourcing of state and territory regulators and the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, in maintaining and improving quality;
3. early learning providers’ compliance with quality standards and legislative requirements, including compliance with workplace laws and regulations;
4. the impact of childcare providers’ employment practices on quality and safety;
5. the role of worker compensation and pay on childcare quality and safety;
6. the role of private for-profit incentives and their impact on childcare quality and safety;
7. transparency within the early childhood education and care system, including access to information and data;
8. the suitability and flexibility of the funding of early education and care across Australia;
9. the choice of care options available to parents and families; and
10. any related matters.