In January 2026, updates to the NQF & CCS will affect how services manage child safety and CCS:
- Child safety enhancements under the National Quality Framework (NQF), and
- Significant updates to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) activity test, dramatically improving access for families.
The reforms aim to strengthen child safety, reduce barriers to early learning, and support more consistent quality across services. But they also mean providers need to prepare operationally, administratively, and from a governance standpoint.
Below is a breakdown of the key changes and what they mean for you.
1. Child Safety Changes Under the NQF (Effective 1 January 2026)
As part of the child safety changes in Early Childhood, the NQF will introduce several refinements to the National Quality Standard (NQS). These updates strengthen expectations around risk management, leadership, and organisational cultur, ensuring every child is protected from harm.
Updated Elements & Standards (New Wording in Bold)
Element 2.2.3 – Child Safety and Protection
“Management, educators and staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities regarding child safety, including the need to identify and respond to every child at risk of abuse or neglect.“
Quality Area 7 – Governance and Leadership
“Effective leadership contributes to sustained quality relationships and environments that facilitate children’s learning and development. Well documented policies and practices that are developed and regularly evaluated in partnership with educators, coordinators, staff members and families contribute to the ethical management of a quality service that is child safe. There is a focus on continuous improvement.”
Standard 7.1 – Governance
“Governance supports the operation of a quality service that is child safe.“
Element 7.1.2 – Management Systems
“Systems are in place to manage risk and enable to effective management and operation of a quality service that is child safe.”
What This Means for Providers
Providers should begin reviewing:
- Policies and procedures
- Risk management practices
- Induction, training and professional development
- Governance and oversight structures
- How they demonstrate ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement
For more detail on child safety obligations and practical guidance, ACECQA provides a suite of helpful resources.
2. CCS Activity Test Changes (The New “3-Day Guarantee”)
The second major shift effective 5 January 2026 is the introduction of a simpler, more accessible CCS activity system—designed to remove barriers for families with lower levels of recognised activity.
What’s Changing?
Today, CCS hours are determined by:
- The Activity Test, and
- Household income
“Recognised activity” includes work, study, volunteering and other approved activities.
From 5 January 2026, the activity test is replaced with a more inclusive model:
New CCS Hour Entitlements
- All CCS-eligible families will receive at least 72 hours per fortnight of subsidised care per child.
- Families with 48+ hours of recognised activity per fortnight will receive 100 hours of subsidised care.
- Families caring for First Nations children will receive 100 hours per fortnight for each child.
What This Means for Families
- A significant boost in subsidised hours for families with low recognised activity
- Reduced financial barriers to accessing early learning
- Greater flexibility for parents returning to work or study
Note: Hourly caps, income thresholds, and child numbers/ages remain in place.
What This Means for Providers
Between increased subsidised hours and stronger child safety requirements, providers can expect:
1. Higher Demand for Care
More families will qualify for more hours—leading to:
- Increased enquiries
- Higher enrolments
- Greater administrative workload
2. Higher Governance & Compliance Expectations
Providers must be ready to:
- Demonstrate child-safe governance
- Evidence continuous improvement
- Strengthen risk-management systems
- Train staff thoroughly on new requirements
3. Greater Strain on Admin & Operational Systems
With higher demand and increased obligations, services need software and processes that can scale without creating additional workload.
Ask yourself:
“Is my software ready for 2026?”
Your CCMS should help you:
✅ Manage higher enquiry volumes without manual work
✅ Enrol families quickly and accurately
✅ Automate family nurturing and waitlists
✅ Improve processes around rostering, attendance and occupancy
✅ Demonstrate excellence and compliance
✅ Manage reporting across multiple sites
If your systems can’t support the changes coming in 2026, you may struggle to meet demand—or worse, fall behind on compliance.
Adding a new tool to solve one gap won’t cut it.
You need a true All-In-One CCMS that reduces admin, strengthens compliance, and scales with your service.
Prepare Now for 2026
The changes coming on 1 January and 5 January 2026 bring opportunity:
- Safer, stronger operational frameworks
- More accessible early education
- More families entering care
To thrive, you need systems that remove complexity—not add to it.
See how Australia’s #1 All-In-One CCMS can help you get ready.
