Number of serious incidents in Australia’s early childhood education services is increasing

Serious incidents are occurrences that pose a severe threat to a child's health, safety, and well-being. These include serious injury or illness requiring medical attention, the involvement of emergency services, a child going missing or being locked in, as well as cases of abuse or death.

How is the report prepared?

Under the National Regulations for Education and Care Services, services must report all serious incidents to the relevant state or territory regulatory authorities. This data is then provided to the Productivity Commission through the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

According to the December 2025 report, an increase was recorded in almost all types of serious incidents. The most frequently reported incident was “injury, illness, or trauma,” accounting for 77.7% of all serious incidents.

What are the reasons for the increase?

The latest figures cover the period prior to recent child safety reforms in the sector; therefore, it may take time to see changes in annual reports.

Research indicates that workers in the early childhood sector face heavy workloads and unpaid hours. High staff turnover, teacher burnout, and management issues increase safety risks.

Furthermore, studies show that management and the provider type of the service are crucial factors for quality. Data reveals that for-profit services offer lower quality and are less successful in improving their ratings under the national quality framework.

Is childcare safe?

The OECD notes that regulated early childhood services are generally safer than unregulated types of care—such as private caregivers, nannies, or care provided by family members. The crux of the problem is that quality across the sector is variable, and significant gaps exist within the regulatory system.

Starting from November 2025, families can check the compliance history of services through the Starting Blocks website, including the date of the service's last regulatory inspection and official breaches within the last two years.

Are the expected reforms sufficient?

Current discussions are primarily reactive and risk-based—for instance, closing down dangerous services and training teachers to detect cases of abuse. However, it is vital to focus on broader factors: teachers' working conditions, staff quality, and management skills. Well-trained personnel working in supportive environments are better equipped to provide both safe and high-quality education to children.