Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of every child in ECEC is a shared national priority and updated and consistent training, together with other child safety reforms, help strengthen knowledge and practice.
Child safety training
Undertaking mandatory foundation child safety training through Geccko will remain a key focus over the coming months for all individuals working in early childhood services.
If you have not yet completed the training, updated information outlining who is required to undertake the Child Safety and Child Protection Training is available via ACECQA’s website.
Updated guidance from ACECQA also clarifies requirements for volunteers, including regular and semi-regular volunteers, as well as students undertaking placements as part of an approved education and care qualification.
The deadline for completing this training is:
- 27 August 2026 for all existing workers appointed before 14 August 2026
- (from 14 August 2026) within 14 days of the person being employed, engaged or appointed at the service or before working directly with children (whichever is earlier).
Child protection training
Completion of PROTECT training is also now mandatory under National Law for teachers, educators and staff working directly with children in early childhood services.
Refreshed PROTECT online eLearning must also be completed by 27 August 2026 and every 12 months thereafter.
The Victorian Department of Education has refreshed its online hub for child safety, moving it to a new learning management platform on Canvas to make it easier for people to find the information they need.
All users, including users with existing Canvas accounts, will need to create a new account when they first access the course via the link provided.
Learn more here: Child protection and child safety training in early childhood.
Updated