All education and care services are assessed and rated against the National Quality Standards by their state and territory regulatory authority.
In this activity we look at the process that is followed to assess services and the ratings they can be awarded.
Select Next to learn more.
Steps in assessment and rating process
Services are assessed and rated by the state or territory regulatory authority.
Select each of the process to view a summary of the steps and the approximate timeframes.
Assessment by the regulatory authority
- Notice of start of process (week 1)
Regulatory authority provides written notice to an approved provider that the assessment and rating process has commenced. - Quality Improvement Plan (week 3-4)
The quality improvement plan is submitted to the regulatory authority prior to the visit, along with any additional information requested by the regulatory authority. - Visit (week 5 to 8)
The regulatory authority visits the service. - Feedback on draft report (3-5 weeks after the visit)
Regulatory authority provides the approved provider with a draft assessment and rating report. The provider can give feedback on any factual inaccuracies in the report and evidence to support feedback. - Final report and notice of final ratings issued to provider.
Feedback considered before final report is finalised and issued. Approved provider may choose to apply for a review of final ratings within the set review period. - Ratings published.
Once the review period has ended, the final ratings are published on the national registers.
Self-assessment and quality improvement (ongoing)
Approved provider will self-assess the quality of the current practices against the National Quality Standard and regulatory requirements.
Approved provider identifies strengths and areas for improvement on an ongoing basis. Read more on self-assessment and quality improvement
Quality Ratings
At the completion of a review by the regulatory authority, services are given a rating for each of the 7 quality areas and an overall rating based on these results. Select each rating to see what it means.
Excellent
- Service promotes exceptional education and care, demonstrates sector leadership and is committed to continually improving.
- Awarded by ACECQA.
- Services rated Exceeding National Quality Standard in all quality areas may choose to apply for this rating.
Exceeding National Quality Standard
- Service goes beyond the requirements of the National Quality Standard in at least 4 of the 7 quality areas, with at least two of these being quality areas 1, 5, 6, or 7.
Meeting National Quality Standard
- Service meets the National Quality Standard.
- Service provides quality education and care in all 7 quality areas.
Working Towards National Quality Standard
- Services provides a safe education and care program.
- There are 1 or more areas identified for improvement.
Significant Improvement required
- Service does not meet 1 of the 7 quality areas or a section of the legislation and there is an significant risk to the safety, health and wellbeing of children.
- The regulatory authority will take immediate action.
Displaying quality ratings
The rating a service is given by the regulatory authority must be displayed at the service at all times. In addition to the rating certificate, services can use their NQS rating logo.
The quality ratings are published on the national registers which you can view from the following link.
National register of quality ratings of education and care service providers
Activity complete
You have now seen the process followed to assess service providers against the National Quality Standard, and the ratings they can be given following the assessment.
In the next part of the module, we will look at the approved learning frameworks that services must use when developing their education program. Before that, you will need to complete an assessment on the National Quality Standard.
This activity is complete and you can select Next to continue the course.