NSW introduces enhancements to Assessment and Rating from 1 July 2026

NSW early childhood education and care (ECEC) services will see significant changes to the Assessment and Rating (A&R) process from 1 July 2026, with the NSW Department of Education introducing a strengthened, year-round approach to continuous improvement, service readiness and regulatory assurance.

The changes reinforce the paramountcy principle, which places children's safety, wellbeing and learning at the centre of regulatory decision-making, and align with updated guidance on both Assessment and Rating and self-assessment processes.

Services can access the Department's guidance on Assessment and Rating and self-assessment through the NSW Department of Education website.

Continuous improvement under closer, ongoing monitoring

From 1 July 2026, authorised officers will place a greater emphasis on a service's ongoing engagement with continuous improvement, rather than focusing solely on preparation for an Assessment and Rating visit.

Key changes include:

• authorised officers may request a service's self-assessment information or Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) at any time
• services will be expected to demonstrate that quality improvement processes are active, current and embedded in everyday practice
• self-assessment documentation should accurately reflect how the service is operating and improving over time.

The change reinforces the National Quality Framework's expectation that quality improvement is an ongoing process rather than an activity undertaken only when an Assessment and Rating visit is anticipated.

Five-day pre-visit phone call continues

The existing phone call approximately five days before an Assessment and Rating visit will remain in place.

Authorised officers will use a service's most recently submitted self-assessment information or QIP to help inform the visit and guide discussions during the assessment process.

For services, this means ensuring that:

• QIPs remain current and reflective of practice
• self-assessment information is regularly reviewed
• documentation aligns with what is occurring across the service, including leadership, curriculum and daily operations.

New guidance for feedback on draft reports

From July 2026, services will also receive updated guidance on providing feedback to draft Assessment and Rating reports.

The changes are designed to improve the quality and relevance of feedback while reducing unnecessary administrative burden.

Key changes include:

• limitations on supporting evidence submitted with feedback
• a greater focus on specific and relevant responses
• clearer guidance on providing feedback that directly addresses findings within the draft report.

The Department has indicated that the changes are intended to support accuracy and clarity while streamlining the feedback process for services.

Assessment and Rating can occur at any time from 2027

One of the most significant changes will take effect from 1 January 2027, when inactive periods for Assessment and Rating are removed.

This means the NSW Regulatory Authority will be able to conduct Assessment and Rating visits at any time throughout the year.

According to the Department, the change supports the expectation that safe, high-quality education and care should be demonstrated every day and reflects the ongoing commitment to the paramountcy principle.

The removal of inactive periods signals a shift towards continuous readiness and reinforces the importance of embedding quality practice into everyday service operations.

Review contact details in NQA ITS

The Department is encouraging all NSW services to review and update their contact details in the National Quality Agenda IT System (NQA ITS).

Maintaining current contact information will help ensure services receive:

• requests for self-assessment information or QIPs
• Assessment and Rating notifications
• regulatory updates and guidance
• other important communications from the Regulatory Authority.

Services encouraged to utilise the Self-Assessment and Quality Improvement Portal

Services that are not already using the Self-Assessment and Quality Improvement Portal are encouraged to register and explore its features.

The portal supports:

• ongoing self-assessment
• evidence collection and reflection
• Quality Improvement Plan updates
• continuous improvement processes
• preparation for Assessment and Rating.

The Department's self-assessment guidance highlights the important role reflective practice plays in driving quality outcomes for children, families and communities.

A shift towards continuous readiness

For many years, services have focused significant effort on preparing for Assessment and Rating visits. These changes signal a continued move towards demonstrating quality as part of everyday practice.

By increasing the use of self-assessment information, strengthening expectations around continuous improvement and removing inactive assessment periods, the NSW Department of Education is reinforcing that high-quality education and care should be visible every day.

For providers, nominated supervisors and educational leaders, the message is clear: Assessment and Rating readiness is no longer an event. It is an ongoing process supported by reflection, documentation, strong leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Access and read further information:

• Assessment and Rating

• Self-Assessment and Quality Improvement