Putting children first

FDCQ supports national child-safety reforms, ready to work with the sector on sustainable implementation.

Family Day Care Queensland (FDCQ) welcomes the national child-safety decisions announced by the Hon. Jason Clare MP following the meeting of education ministers on Friday, 23 August. Our focus now is clear: work together to implement the changes in a way that keeps children safe, supports educators, and gives families confidence in home-based early education and care.

As the peak body for Family Day Care in Queensland, we will collaborate with other peak bodies and the government to translate the reforms into practical steps for services and educators. "We particularly welcome measures that improve visibility and capability across the system", says FDCQ's Board Chair, Dr. Fiona Margetts, acknowledging the organisation's support for a National Educator Register, mandatory child-safety training for all roles (including administration and management), and clearer information to help families make informed choices.

“Safety, wellbeing and thriving children are our priority. We welcome the national focus on prevention, training and accountability," says Stella Conway, CEO of FDCQ. Service providers, educators and families can be assured that FDCQ will work constructively with governments and sector partners so Family Day Care services can implement the changes sustainably. Our goal is simple: the best outcomes for children and families, delivered by a strong, well-supported home-based workforce.

How FDCQ will help

Across the coming weeks and months, FDCQ will be working hard to support services in making the necessary adjustments to meet the regulatory requirements, including:

Working together

FDCQ will continue partnering with government and fellow peak bodies to deliver consistent, practical support. If you’re a service or educator seeking guidance, please contact us or subscribe* to receive updates and tools as they are released.

 

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CRIS Digital Device Management

PEAK FDC bodies aligned regarding Digital Device Management public consultation submission.

With the Hon. Jason Clare MP due to release a statement later today regarding Child Safety Review and the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CSRIS), May 2025, outcomes, it’s timely to highlight the importance of today’s Ministerial safeguarding meeting with particular respect to the united front PEAK FDC bodies held in June 2025 during the public consultation period. Three key sector PEAK bodies, Family Day Care Australia, Family Day Care Australia NSW and Family Day Care Queensland shared a common consensus that any changes to Digital Device Management was “it is imperative… [they] respond to the unique FDC setting and context of service delivery” (National Child Safety Review (2025) FDCQ p4).

Snippets of text that have been highlighted

CAPTION: The original positions that three organisations took in their June 2025 submissions to the National Child Safety Review (CRIS).

Blanket changes to the management of digital devices without considerations for FDC nuances could result in an array of significant consequential impacts on the home-based care sector. At a glance, this is how the sector’s leading PEAK bodies positioned themselves for their members and the sustainable interests of home-based care in June.

Organisation Position on digital devices (for FDC)
FDCQ Support Option 1 (status quo) for FDC, unless a tailored hybrid of Options 2 & 3 can be applied specifically to home-based care
“FDCQ supports Option 1—maintaining the status quo for FDC services—unless a hybrid approach combining Options 2 and 3 can be applied across the home-based care sector.”
NSWFDCA Support Option 1. Say Options 2 or 3 would severely impact the FDC sector
“The NSWFDCA supports Option 1. The implementation of regulatory Options 2 or 3 would have a severe negative impact on the FDC sector.”
FDCA Support Option 1 (policy-led approach); oppose Options 2 & 3 as unsuitable for FDC
“Policy-led, adaptable and proportionate to risk… Options 2 and 3 do not meet these standards in a family day care context.”

Key arguments supporting each submission

FDCQ

FDCANSW

FDCA

Read the full submissions

FAQ

  1. What is “Option 1 (status quo)”?
    Keep the current approach (as at June 2025) but require clear service policies for digital devices (Reg 168) — covering capture, storage, deletion, and children’s privacy.
  2. Why not Options 2 or 3 for FDC?
    They can be costly and impractical in home-based settings and may not improve safety compared to strong, enforceable policies.
  3. Does this apply to centres?
    This page summarises FDC positions. Centre-based contexts differ and may support different options.

About this page

This article summarises submissions lodged in June 2025 to the Child Safety Review CRIS. It records the positions held at that time.

FDCQ submits comprehensive response to National Child Safety Review

Family Day Care Queensland advocates for sector-specific solutions in landmark regulatory consultation

Family Day Care Queensland (FDCQ) has successfully submitted a comprehensive 13-page response to the National Child Safety Review Consultation Regulation Impact Statement, representing the collective voice of Queensland's Family Day Care sector in this critical national policy process.

The submission, developed through extensive consultation with Queensland FDC service providers, coordinators, staff, and educators, addresses six key reform areas that could significantly impact home-based early childhood education and care operations from 2025 onwards.

Sector-led advocacy for practical solutions

FDCQ's response emphasises the unique context of Family Day Care services and advocates for regulatory approaches that enhance child safety while acknowledging the operational realities of home-based education and care delivery.

"Our submission reflects the professional expertise and real-world experience of Queensland's Family Day Care community," said Stella Conroy, FDCQ CEO. "Through extensive consultation, we've been able to present evidence-based arguments for sensible regulation that strengthens child safety without compromising the sustainability of Family Day Care services."

Key FDCQ advocacy positions

1. Digital device management

FDCQ supports either no change to current legislation or a change that recognises personal device use in conjunction with robust risk-management policies. This position recognises that FDC educators often operate as small businesses requiring personal devices for emergency communication, family contact, and business operations.

2. Mandatory Child Safety training

The organisation strongly supports nationally consistent mandatory child safety training with government funding provisions, ensuring accessibility for rural and remote educators while maintaining training relevance to home-based care contexts.

3. Educator conduct regulations

FDCQ advocates for expanded inappropriate conduct provisions with clear safeguards protecting educators from false accusations—particularly important given the isolated working environment of Family Day Care.

4. Working With Children Checks

Supporting national consistency in WWCC requirements, FDCQ advocates for approved checks before commencing roles and mandatory notification of status changes across all jurisdictions.

5. Physical environment safety

The organisation supports a balanced approach that removes long-term service waivers while retaining emergency temporary waivers, acknowledging the diverse settings where Family Day Care operates, particularly in rural and remote communities.

6. Property access provisions

FDCQ supports expanded authorised officer access in specific circumstances, coupled with clear guidance protecting educator privacy and defining appropriate boundaries for inspections.

National sector alignment strengthens advocacy

FDCQ's submission aligns closely with the national response from Family Day Care Australia, demonstrating unified sector advocacy across state and territory boundaries. This coordination significantly strengthens the collective voice of Family Day Care in national policy discussions.

Key areas of alignment include recognition that FDC requires tailored regulatory approaches, support for practical implementation acknowledging home-based care realities, advocacy for appropriate government support for new requirements, and emphasis on risk management over rigid restrictions.

Implementation timeline and next steps

The consultation period concluded on June 11, 2025, with government analysis expected to continue through August 2025. The Decision Regulation Impact Statement, containing final policy decisions and implementation timelines, is anticipated for release in September 2025.

FDCQ will continue monitoring the policy development process and providing members with regular updates as implementation approaches. The organisation remains committed to supporting services through any regulatory transitions while advocating for practical, sustainable approaches to enhanced child safety.

Supporting Family Day Care excellence

As Queensland's peak representative body for Family Day Care and In Home Care services, FDCQ has advocated for the sector for over 40 years. The organisation's mission to lead, promote, and grow exceptional home-based quality education and care services guides its approach to policy advocacy and member support.

"This submission demonstrates our sector's commitment to both child safety and professional excellence," added Conroy. "Family Day Care educators and service providers consistently show their dedication to providing safe, high-quality education and care in home-based environments, and our advocacy ensures their expertise informs national policy decisions."

 

Resources and Further Information

Access FDCQ's full submission: Download PDF
Review the national FDCA submission: Read FDCA submission
Original consultation materials: CSR consultation website