Queensland’s government is set to introduce legislation mandating the compulsory registration of all early childhood educators, a move aimed at enhancing child safety and preventing individuals with a history of abuse from working in childcare centres. The new law, announced by Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek on Tuesday in Brisbane, will require educators to register with the Queensland College of Teachers, the state authority responsible for professional accreditation.

Currently, registration is voluntary, with around 63% of the estimated 3,500 early childhood educators in Queensland registered. The legislation, spearheaded by the Liberal National Party government, is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2028, allowing time for the registering authority to establish the necessary administrative framework.

Mr. Langbroek emphasized that the reform would provide parents with greater assurance that the state’s more than 2,300 kindergartens offer safe environments for children. He described the changes as a way to strengthen an already existing system, which includes mandatory reporting protocols and child protection training for educators.

“Queenslanders should have full confidence in their early childhood centres,” Langbroek said. “While most centres are operating responsibly, it’s imperative we make the system more robust.”

The legislation is partly a response to past criminal cases involving child abuse. It aims to improve monitoring and background checks on early childhood workers, reducing the risk of repeat offenses. One such case is the 2024 conviction of Ashley Paul Griffith, who was sentenced to life imprisonment with a 27-year non-parole period after pleading guilty to over 300 child abuse charges covering two decades across Queensland, New South Wales, and Italy.

The Australian Childcare Alliance welcomed the initiative, with Vice President Nesha Hutchinson calling it a first in Australia. Hutchinson noted that the majority of early childhood staff are committed professionals but acknowledged the importance of government measures to prevent the employment of individuals with abusive histories.

“No one wants to make the mistake of employing a pedophile. Anything governments can do to assist in making these informed decisions is crucial,” Hutchinson said.

The forthcoming legislation aims to create a more transparent and accountable system, enhancing protections for children in Queensland’s early education settings.