Early Childhood Education and Care staff in Australia must complete child safety training and child protection training.
The free training assists staff to understand the child safety framework and requirements for keeping children safe.
Both child safety training and child protection training are mandated for specific roles under the National Law and National Regulations and must be completed by 27 August 2026.
Foundation training
Approved providers must ensure Foundation child safety training is completed before the deadline.
Foundation training consists of 2 modules:
- understanding child safety
- understanding and identifying child abuse and neglect.
The deadline for completing the 2 foundation training modules is 27 August 2026 for all existing workers appointed before 14 August 2026.
Workers appointed after 14 August 2026 must complete the training:
- within 14 days of the person being employed, engaged or appointed at the service, or
- before working directly with children (whichever is earlier).
Individuals can download a completion certificate from Geccko after completing both Foundation modules. Read instructions on using Geccko, including how to download the certificate.
Advanced training
Further details about the advanced modules will be available from July 2026.
For more information visit:
- National child safety training – Australian Government Department of Education
- Child Safety and Child Protection Training – information from ACECQA on child safety and child protection training obligations
- Child protection and child safety training in early childhood – information from the Victorian Department of Education and links to online Child Protection training
- Contact the Australian Government Department of Education for technical support with account and access issues relating to the National Child Safety Training system: Technical support
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