Early childhood provider approval

What is provider approval

Provider approval is the first step towards operating an approved service.

Provider approval is recognised across Australia. Once you have provider approval in one state or territory you only need to apply for service approval in the state you wish to operate in.

In Victoria, the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) is the regulator.

The approved provider of an education and care service is responsible for:

• the health, safety and wellbeing of children at the service
• meeting the educational and developmental needs of the children at the service.

How to apply

An application for provider approval under the National Law can be submitted by:

• an individual, such as a sole proprietor
• a non-individual, such as a company, incorporated association or partnership.

You must submit your application through the National Quality Agenda IT System (NQA ITS).

Your application needs to include the following:

• provider approval application (form PA01)
• a declaration of fitness and propriety for each PMC and any company directors who will be a PMC (form PA02) – see: who should be a PMC
• a current criminal history check (no more than 6 months old) for each PMC and company director
• a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) or Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) Registration for each PMC and company director
• proof of legal entity – for example, a Current and Historical Company ASIC extract and evidence of company registration, if relevant
• resume and qualifications
• payment of the prescribed fee.

All forms and supporting documents must be complete before you submit your application.

Fees

Refer to ACECQA’s information on prescribed annual and transaction fees.

Fees must be paid online via NQA ITS.

If payment is not received by the due date, the application may be made invalid.

After you apply

We will review your application and assess each applicant and PMC’s:

• fitness and propriety
• knowledge of the National Law and National Regulations.

Fitness and propriety assessment

Each applicant and PMC will be assessed for fitness and propriety.

For information about fitness and propriety criteria, read ACECQA’s Guide to the NQF: Applications and Approvals – 1.2 Considering a declaration of fitness and propriety.

The mandatory criteria are set out in section 13 of the National Law.

These include:

• the applicant's history of compliance with the National Law and other relevant legislation
• any previous negative decisions under the National Law and other relevant legislation
• the applicant’s criminal history, as it may affect the person's suitability for the role
• a Working with Children Check (WWCC) in Victoria
• whether a person is bankrupt or has applied for relief from debt.

We may also assess:

• if a PMC has a medical condition that stops them from providing a quality education and care service
• the financial situation of the applicant as it may affect their ability to meet their responsibilities
• whether the applicant and each PMC have the skills and experience to manage a service under the NQF
• any sanctions, suspensions or infringement notices issued under A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999.

We may consider other relevant factors when assessing an applicant and their PMCs.

These may include each PMC’s:

• knowledge of the National Law
• referee feedback on their management skills and experience in early childhood education and care.

PMC online knowledge assessment

In Victoria, each PMC must complete an online knowledge assessment to show they:

• understand and can apply the National Law and National Regulations
• show awareness of the National Quality Framework (NQF) when operating a service.

The online assessment tests the person’s knowledge and understanding of an approved provider’s obligations when operating a service.

The assessment looks at a person’s:

• skills
• knowledge
• expertise
• diligence
• judgement.

Before you start the assessment

You must complete an online onboarding process before starting the assessment.

This process helps you to:

• install and test the required software
• confirm your identity
• complete practice questions.

Notification of outcome

How long it takes

A decision will be made within 60 days of receiving your completed application. This period may be extended with your consent.

If your application is incomplete, we will contact you for more information. You must submit the requested information through NQA ITS.

Any time taken by you to provide more information or for each PMC to complete their assessment is not included in the 60 days.

We will notify you within 7 days of the outcome.

If your application is approved a provider approval certificate will be emailed to you.

From 27 February 2026, if an application is not approved the applicant cannot reapply for 12 months except with special permission.

Conditions on provider approval

Approved providers must follow the National Law and meet all conditions of their approval.

These conditions include:

• requirements set out in the National Regulations
• any extra conditions added by the Regulatory Authority.

We may apply additional conditions when approval is granted or at any other time.

Contact us

For more information or assistance, please contact us:

• Phone: 1300 307 415 between 9 am and 5 pm (Monday to Friday)
• Email: vecra.licensing@education.vic.gov.au.