Qualifications for family day care services

Family Day Care (FDC) is education and care provided by a qualified educator in the home. The National Regulations set out the qualification requirements for staff working in FDC services.

Family day care educators

From 1 July 2023, new family day care educators must hold an approved certificate III level (or higher) qualification prior to commencing their role in a family day care service and they cannot be 'actively working towards' a qualification.

Existing educators currently engaged at a family day care service have until 1 July 2024 to complete an approved qualification*. If by this time, an educator does not hold an approved certificate III level (or higher) qualification, the approved provider can apply for a waiver, which the regulatory authority may consider granting if it is satisfied the provider has reasonable justification for not being able to comply.      

*This does not apply in South Australia, where educators must already hold at least an approved certificate III level education and care qualification

Under the National Quality Framework (NQF), a person is a certificate III qualified educator if they:

• hold an approved certificate III qualification, OR
• hold a former approved certificate III level qualification completed before 1 January 2012, OR
• hold a qualification that ACECQA has determined to be an equivalent certificate III level educator qualification.

Family day care educators must also meet first aid qualification requirements.

Family day care coordinators

All family day care coordinators must hold an approved diploma level education and care qualification.

Under the NQF, a person is a diploma qualified educator if they:

• hold an approved diploma level qualification, OR
• hold a former approved diploma level qualification completed before 1 January 2012, OR
• hold a qualification that ACECQA has determined to be an equivalent diploma level educator qualification.

Family day care coordinators (Queensland)

The below information is relevant only for family day care coordinators in Queensland.

You are taken to hold an approved diploma level education and care qualification in Queensland if you held a qualification before 1 January 2012 that is published on the list of former approved qualifications for family day care coordinators.

Check if your qualification is on the list - Former approved qualifications for Family day care coordinators (in Queensland only).