February 18, 2026
2026 Reform Update: Child Safety and Child Protection Training
By Liddy Korner
From 27 February 2026, new Child Safety training requirements will commence under the National Law.
To ensure accurate guidance, Talent Now sought clarification directly from ACECQA regarding the child safety reforms. Below is what has been confirmed.
National Child Safety Training (From 27 February 2026)
From 27 February 2026, a mandatory National Child Safety Training will apply to everyone working in or involved with an education and care service regulated under the National Law — including educators, volunteers, students and service leadership.
The Foundation module:
- Will take approximately 2 hours to complete
- Will provide a Certificate of Completion
- Will be free
- Will be delivered via the Geccko platform
Expected Timeframes
ACECQA has advised that amendments to the National Regulations are expected to specify:
- A 6-month transition period for existing staff to complete the new training
- Refresher training every 2 years
These arrangements have been indicated but are not yet formally legislated. Further amendments are anticipated.
Details regarding Advanced modules — including who must complete them and within what timeframes — are also expected in upcoming amendments.
This Does Not Replace State Child Protection Training
The National Child Safety Training is separate from existing Child Protection training requirements.
Under Regulation 84A of the Education and Care Services National Regulations, approved providers are already required to ensure staff complete Child Protection training.
Upcoming amendments to the National Regulations are expected to clarify:
- Application to all staff and volunteers (including students)
- Completion timeframes
- Prescribed training requirements in each jurisdiction
Because reporting frameworks differ across Australia, a national course cannot replace state-based reporting obligations.
How Talent Now Is Responding
Talent Now is implementing the following measures to support services and educators:
- National Child Safety Training documentation will be uploaded and stored within educator profiles
- Training completion will be monitored within the platform
We will continue monitoring regulatory amendments and provide further updates as additional detail is confirmed.
For a detailed breakdown of training requirements — including state-by-state Child Protection training links for educators — please visit:
