Promoting consistency and efficiency under the National Quality Framework - Occasional Paper 3 - best possible start in life

Oct 15, 2026

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This occasional paper, the third in a series on the National Quality Framework (NQF), details activities led by ACECQA to promote consistency and efficiency in implementing and administering the NQF. It explains how joint governance involving eight state and territory regulatory authorities and the Australian Government supports shared collaboration. Consistency is framed through NQF outcomes, and the paper outlines ACECQA’s approach, including seven priority areas such as national audits, authorisation officer training, communications, data analysis, collaboration, and maintaining the NQA ITS.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages47

Reading Time1 h 58 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

Introduction

Key changes introduced through the National Quality Framework

Efficiency improvements through a single legislative system

Developments since the introduction of the NQF

Quality rating progress and results

Waivers

Family day care

Definition of consistency under the National Quality Framework

Consistency of outcomes for children, families and carers

Consistency of outcomes for approved providers

Sector perceptions of consistency

Large provider perspective

ACECQA’s role in monitoring and promoting consistency

Collaboration with state and territory regulatory authorities, and other partner organisations

ACECQA’s approach to consistency under the NQF

Outcomes focussed

Proportionality and efficiency

Responsiveness and flexibility

Transparency and accountability

Communication and engagement

Mutual responsibility and cooperation

References and Resources

Appendix A

Promoting consistency and efficiency under the National Quality Framework Occasional Paper 3 November 2016 The best possible start in [life | www.acecqa.gov.au](life | www.acecqa.gov.au) Contents | Overview | 3 | | | --- | --- | --- | | Introduction | 5 | | | Key changes introduced through the National Quality Framework | 5 | | | Efficiency improvements through a single legislative system | 6 | | | Developments since the introduction of the NQF | 7 | | | Quality rating progress and results | 8 | | | Waivers | 10 | | | Family day care | 12 | | | Definition of consistency under the National Quality Framework | 15 | | | Consistency of outcomes for children, families and carers | 15 | | | Consistency of outcomes for approved providers | 15 | | | Sector perceptions of consistency | 16 | | | Large provider perspective | 17 | | | ACECQA’s role in monitoring and promoting consistency | 18 | | | Collaboration with state and territory regulatory authorities, and other partner organisations | 19 | | | ACECQA’s approach to consistency under the NQF | 22 | | | Outcomes focussed | 22 | | | Proportionality and efficiency | 22 | | | Responsiveness and flexibility | 22 | | | Transparency and accountability | 22 | | | Communication and engagement | 23 | | | Mutual responsibility and cooperation | 23 | | 1 The best possible start in [life | www.acecqa.gov.au](life | www.acecqa.gov.au) Contents ACECQA’s national consistency strategy and implementation plan 2015-16 23 Training and support for authorised officers 23 | National audits | 31 | | --- | --- | | Application and assessment functions | 34 | Sector and family communications 37 | Analysis of assessment and rating data | 40 | | --- | --- | National Quality Agenda Information Technology System (NQA ITS) 41 | References and Resources | 42 | | --- | --- | | Appendix A | 43 | List of Figures Figure 1: Proportion of services with a quality rating 8 Figure 2: Proportion of services rated Working Towards NQS 9 Figure 3: Proportion of services with a waiver 11 Figure 4: Number of family day care services 12 Figure 5: Proportion of services rated below Meeting NQS 13 Figure 6: Number of approved family day care services 14 List of Tables Table 1 2015-16 National Workshops 39 Table 2 Regulation of education and care services prior to the introduction of the NQF on 1 January 2012 43 2 The best possible start in [life | www.acecqa.gov.au](life | www.acecqa.gov.au) Overview This occasional paper is the third in a series on the National Quality Framework (NQF) . The paper reports on activities to promote consistency and efficiency in the implementation and administration of the NQF, which are key functions of the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) under the Education and Care Services National Law (the National Law) . Given the joint governance arrangements in place for the NQF, striving for consistency and efficiency is a collaborative effort between the eight state and territory regulatory authorities, the Australian Government and ACECQA. The paper highlights the breadth and depth of collaboration to identify, implement and review approaches to promote consistency and efficiency under the NQF. This is intended to offer visibility and assurance to external stakeholders of these collaborative strategies and activities, much of which occurs ‘behind the scenes’. In the context of the NQF, consistency is most importantly about the outcomes that result from the way the NQF is administered. The paper provides an overview ofACECQA’s approach to consistency, which is outlined in ACECQA’s National Consistency Strategy and Implementation Plan 2015-16 . The plan, published in October 2015, is informed by the experiences of service providers and guided by the principles of best practice regulation. It identifies seven consistency related priorities: ■ training and support for authorised offic

FAQs

What does the paper focus on regarding the NQF implementation?

It focuses on activities that promote consistency and efficiency in the implementation and administration of the National Quality Framework.

How is consistency defined in the context of the NQF?

Consistency is described as being most importantly about the outcomes that result from how the NQF is administered.

Which organisations collaborate to promote consistency and efficiency under the NQF?

The paper describes collaboration between eight state and territory regulatory authorities, the Australian Government, and ACECQA under joint governance arrangements.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Mia