Preparing NQF policies and procedures

Approved providers must ensure their education and care services have policies and procedures covering a range of areas set out in regulations 168 and 169 of the National Regulations. This supports teachers and other educators’ important roles in protecting and promoting children’s health, safety and wellbeing, and enables service providers to consider and address the necessary requirements for sound management and governance.

At ACECQA, one of our roles is to publish guides and resources to support services in understanding – and working within – the National Quality Framework. To this end, in consultation with state and territory regulatory authorities, we have developed new guidelines to help providers prepare these policies and procedures. 

The first 12 guidelines are now available on a new Preparing NQF policies and procedures page on our website, with a further 16 to be published over the coming months.

They step through the information to consider when preparing and reviewing these policies and procedures and offer a starting point to develop policies and procedures that are comprehensive, current and suited to each service and community.

They are a reference point for existing approved providers and services, as well as for individuals and organisations intending to apply for new provider and/or service approvals.

As the guidelines have been prepared for use Australia-wide, services will also need to consider any relevant state or territory specific requirements when drafting their policies and procedures.