In January 2026, further significant changes came into effect under the National Quality Standard, with Element 7.1.2 – Management Systems strengthened to clearly embed child safety as a governance and leadership responsibility. Systems are in place to manage risk and enable the effective management and operation of a quality service, included now is the phrase ‘that is child safe’.
These changes confirm that child safety must be intentionally designed, governed, monitored and continuously improved through management systems — not left to informal practices or individual judgement.
With the Guide to the National Quality Standard now spanning 692 pages, it is neither practical nor necessary for busy educators and leaders to digest every detail. What matters most is understanding what has changed, what assessors are now looking for, and what services need to do differently in practice.
BEST Childcare Consulting was proud to be part of the consultation group for the new national child protection training, providing sector-informed input into how these requirements translate into real, workable practice for early childhood services
This article provides a clear, assessment-ready breakdown of the strengthened wording in Element 7.1.2, translating each requirement into:
• practical actions services can implement immediately, and
• targeted training options to strengthen practice and evidence.
Childcare Compliance
What Changed in NQS 7.1.2 Management Systems — Practical Guide to What Services Must Do Now
