An approved provider is an individual or organisation that has been granted approval to operate an education and care service under the National Quality Framework (NQF). This approval is a legal requirement and ensures that the provider meets the necessary Requirements to effectively operate an education and care service. 

To become an approved provider, you must undergo an application process with your relevant state or territory regulatory authority. This process includes submitting detailed information about your organisation, your capability, and your capacity to comply with the NQF. Our approved provider and governance program offers comprehensive training to help you navigate this process successfully. 

In addition to gaining state or territory approval, you will also need to apply for approval from the Australian Government to be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Find out more: https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/approval

The process to apply for provider approval under the National Quality Framework (NQF) can take varying amounts of time depending on the robustness of the application and the specific regulatory authority. Typically, once a complete application is submitted, it can take 60 days or more for assessment (however, the regulatory authority may request up to 90 days).  Delays can occur if additional information or documents are needed. Applicants are advised to ensure all necessary details are provided to avoid prolonging the process. 

For full details, visit the ACECQA page. 

Depending on how robust and thorough the approved provider application is, the regulatory authority can request the applicant to sit a national assessment.   

We offer support to help you prepare for the exam and guide you in becoming an excellent approved provider. 

Whilst this training may help in your preparations for the exam, the purpose of the training is to support you in developing your knowledge and application of the National Laws and Regulations in relation to the approved provider role. A small component of the training may include some practice questions that you can work through with the trainer, though these questions may not reflect the questions you might see in the actual assessment. 

As an approved provider, you are responsible for ensuring that your education and care service adheres to regulatory compliance and ensures the provision of high quality education and care to children set out in the NQF. This includes maintaining the safety, health, and wellbeing of children, ensuring qualified staff, and managing the service in accordance with the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations. 

Access the National Law and Regulations 

Access the NQF

While specific training is not always mandatory, it is highly recommended that prospective providers underake training to gain a comprehensive understanding of their legal responsibilities under the NQF and other related legislation. Our approved provider and governance program provides essential knowledge on compliance, governance, and management to ensure you are well prepared.  

The duration of the approved provider and governance program can vary depending on your pace. Typically, the program can be completed in 36 hours. It is designed to be flexible to accommodate your schedule while providing comprehensive coverage of the necessary topics. Depending on the package you choose, you will have 6 to 12 months of access to the online program. You can revisit and retake the program anytime during this period to refresh or solidify your knowledge.

We provide a range of resources, including templates, checklists, quizzes, scenarios and guides, to help you manage your responsibilities as an approved provider. Our Refresher Plus and New Provider learning packages also include access to experts who can offer tailored advice and support. 

Yes, CELA’s program includes options for tailored support. Whether you need one on one consultations or specific advice on certain aspects of the approval process, we are here to assist you at every step. 

CELA’s unique point of difference is our approach to the design and delivery of content. The content designed takes a thorough, ‘deep dive’ into all aspects of the National Quality Framework. There are live and online modes of delivery to support potential or new providers to build a sound knowledge and understanding of the legal responsibilities and role of an approved provider. 

For people who are at the beginning stages of opening an early education service, CELA provides a 1-hour online New Provider Consultancy session. 

This consultancy is designed to support individuals to understand the end-to-end process of applying to be become an Approved Provider.  

The consultancy provides:  

• An understanding of a legal entity when applying for approval  

• Understanding the application and approval process of becoming an Approved Provider under the NQF  

• Understanding the process of service approval  

• Understanding the process of becoming an Approved Provider under Child Care Subsidy legislation.

This meeting sets expectations for what is involved in the approvals process and enables clients to make a decision about engaging in more intensive consultancy through CELA.    

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The cost of the program varies depending on the level of support you require. Our self-paced refresher course starts at $390 with access to our Approved Provider and Governance online learning program for 6 months for one person.

Other packages include personalised support. 

The Refresher Plus package costs $980 per service for members and $1,176 per service for non-members and includes: 

• Complete access to our Approved Provider and Governance online learning program for 6 months for up to 6 people 

• 1 x 3 hours of individualised Approved Provider training and support with one of our Approved Provider experts. Up to 6 people enrolled into the online learning program can participate in this training as a group.

Cost

Members:             $980 per service
Non-members:     $1,176 per service

The New Provider package includes: 

• Complete access to our Approved Provider and Governance online learning program for 12 months for up to 6 people 

• 2 x 2 hours of individualised Approved Provider training and support with one of our Approved Provider experts. Up to 6 people enrolled into the online learning program can participate in this training as a group. 

• A copy of CELA’s comprehensive Starting from Scratch toolkit   

• Applicable for non-members only: CELA membership for one year for one service.

Cost

Members:             $1,130 per service
Non-members:     $1,325 per service

Note: The self-paced course is for NSW approved providers only but our consultants can tailor training to approved providers in all states and territories.  

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Our approach helps you through the application process. Please note we do not develop the policies or procedures for you in relation to CCS. Our support is scheduled as follows:  

• Up to one hour live zoom meeting: to help you to understand the requirements of Family Assistance Law, understand what to access and how to understand the CCS requirements to enable a CCS application.  

• You send us your completed governance workbook, policies, and procedures related to the CCS application requirements. We will review these and provide feedback and recommendations to indicate where you need to further consider your responses and provide you with recommendations.  

• Up to one hour live zoom meeting to discuss our feedback and respond to any further questions you may have, if time permits. 

Review of plans 

A CELA specialist can provide a desktop review of your building plans against Child Care Planning Guidelines, council requirements, and the National Quality Framework for service approval and operational requirements. The review is documented in a report that assesses how the plans meet architectural and educational requirements with comments and recommendations for best practice and considerations for improvements.  

Preparing for service approval  

The lead up to service approval is both an exciting and busy time. CELA can help to ease the stress by offering guidance and support through the process of obtaining service approval and preparing for the regulatory authority's pre-approval visit.  

Our specialists can provide support through: 

• A pre-service approval visit to verify that all necessary information is prepared for submission with the application and that the physical premises of a center-based service meet jurisdictional service approval requirements. 
• A follow-up report from the visit, outlining any outstanding actions that need to be addressed.  
• Review of required service policies and procedures (r 168). Policies and procedures will be reviewed and edited to ensure they are in line with the Education and Care Services National Law and the Education and Care Services National Regulations for the operation of a centre-based setting. CELA may provide suggestions for procedures, however these will need to be completed and finalised by the service to ensure they are contextualised to the unique context of the service.  
• Reviewing additional supporting information to be included in the application. 
• Online meetings, calls, or email correspondence as needed.  

CELA can support new committee members or existing committee members to understand their role as a person with management or control of the organisaton (PMC).  

A range of training options is available for committees: 

Approved provider and Governance program for committes – find out more: https://www.cela.org.au/training/self-paced/management-committee-training-portal

Live webinar delivery of the role and responsibilities of the management committee (contact us for costs)

A suite of tools and resources that unpack and support the management committees (contact us for costs)

Contact us to enquire

Yes. CELA is a national peak body and our consultancy is contextualised to specific state and territory requirements.