Tasmania changes one national ratio band. For children from 36 months to preschool age the ratio is 1:10, or 2 educators to 25 children attending a preschool program (regulation 342). The other bands are national: 1:4 from birth to 24 months, 1:5 from over 24 months to under 36 months, and 1:15 over preschool age. Tasmania also has a 30-minute short-absence rule (regulation 342A), a teacher rule for preschools (regulation 343), a working with vulnerable people requirement (regulation 344) and a ban on swimming pools at services (regulation 345).
This page covers what is different in Tasmania: the ratio for 3 to 5 year olds, short absences, preschool teachers, working with vulnerable people registration and the regulator.
Tasmania applies the Education and Care Services National Law through the Education and Care Services National Law (Application) Act 2011 and uses the Education and Care Services National Regulations. Regulation 340 applies Part 7.7 of the Regulations to Tasmania. The regulatory authority functions are carried out by the Education and Care Unit (ECU) in the Department for Education, Children and Young People. The ECU also regulates some child care services under the Child Care Act 2001.
| Age of children | Ratio in Tasmania | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Birth to 24 months | 1:4 | r 123(1)(a) |
| Over 24 months and under 36 months | 1:5 | r 123(1)(b) |
| 36 months or over, up to preschool age | 1:10, or 2:25 for children attending a preschool program | r 342 |
| Over preschool age | 1:15 | r 123(1)(d) |
Regulation 342 applies to centre-based services in place of the national 1:11 in regulation 123(1)(c). Ratios are worked out across the whole service, not room by room, and only educators working directly with children count (regulation 122). The Tasmanian ratio calculator applies these figures.
Regulation 342A lets a centre-based service be taken to meet the ratio while an educator is not working directly with children, if:
For a rating assessment the service is taken to comply with regulation 123. The 30 minutes is a daily total, and the duty of adequate supervision still applies. South Australia, Queensland and WA have similar but differently worded rules; compare them in the ratios guide.
For a centre-based service that delivers a preschool program, regulation 343 applies in place of regulation 126(1)(a): the first of every 2 educators in the ratio for children attending the preschool program must hold an approved early childhood teaching qualification. Other services follow the national early childhood teacher requirements.
Under regulation 344, an approved provider must not engage a person as a staff member unless they hold a working with vulnerable people registration, and adult volunteers and students on practicum placements must hold proof of registration. In Tasmania this registration is issued under the Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Act 2013.
1:4 from birth to 24 months, 1:5 from over 24 months to under 36 months, 1:10 from 36 months to preschool age (or 2 educators to 25 children attending a preschool program) under regulation 342, and 1:15 for children over preschool age.
Regulation 342 applies in Tasmania in place of the national 1:11 in regulation 123(1)(c). It sets 1:10, or 2:25 for children attending a preschool program.
Within limits. Under regulation 342A a centre is taken to meet the ratio while an educator is away from working directly with children for no more than 30 minutes in total in a day, provided the program is maintained in a way that supports each child's safety, health and wellbeing.
The Education and Care Unit (ECU) in the Department for Education, Children and Young People carries out the regulatory authority functions under the National Law.
Yes. Regulation 344 says an approved provider must not engage a staff member who does not hold a working with vulnerable people registration, and adult volunteers and practicum students must hold proof of registration.
WIDEN Law answers National Quality Framework questions with inline citations to the National Law, the Regulations and the NQS, so you can check the source provision yourself.
14-day free trial, no card →This page is a research summary, not legal or compliance advice. It is written in our own words from the sources linked on the page; confirm the position with your regulatory authority before relying on it for a compliance decision.