Standard 7.1 (Governance): Governance supports the operation of a quality service that is child safe. It has 3 elements:
For each element below: what it means in practice, what an assessor looks for, the common gaps, and a model short answer for “briefly explain” questions in certificate III and diploma assessments.
“A statement of philosophy guides all aspects of the service’s operations.”
What it means: The philosophy is a living statement of what the service believes about children, learning, families and community, and it visibly shapes decisions: recruitment, the program, policies and how families are welcomed.
What an assessor looks for:
Common gaps: A philosophy on the wall that staff cannot connect to practice; not reviewed since the 2009 EYLF.
Element 7.1.1 requires the service to have a statement of philosophy that actually guides everything it does, from the educational program to policies and day-to-day decisions.
“Systems are in place to manage risk and enable the effective management and operation of a quality service that is child safe.”
What it means: Behind the service sit working systems for risk, records, policies, notifications, recruitment and screening, complaints and compliance. Since 1 January 2026 the element explicitly says the service must be child safe.
What an assessor looks for:
Common gaps: Policies not reviewed or not followed; notifications missed; screening records incomplete.
Element 7.1.2 requires systems for managing risk and running the service effectively, such as policies, records, recruitment and compliance processes, so that it operates as a quality service that is child safe.
“Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, and understood, and support effective decision making and operation of the service.”
What it means: Everyone knows who is responsible for what: the approved provider, persons with management or control, the nominated supervisor, the responsible person, the educational leader and educators, and decisions are made by the right people.
What an assessor looks for:
Common gaps: Confusion about who is the responsible person on a shift; roles described on paper but not followed.
Element 7.1.3 means roles and responsibilities are clearly set out and understood by everyone, so decisions are made by the right people and the service runs effectively.
The 2026 “child safe” wording is explained in NQS changes 2026.
See the whole quality area in Quality Area 7: Governance and leadership, or all 40 elements on one page.
Standard 7.1 (Governance): governance supports the operation of a quality service that is child safe. Its elements are 7.1.1 Service philosophy and purpose, 7.1.2 Management systems, and 7.1.3 Roles and responsibilities.
A statement of philosophy guides all aspects of the service's operations.
From 1 January 2026, Standard 7.1 and Element 7.1.2 refer to a quality service that is child safe.
Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and understood, and support effective decision making and operation of the service.
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.
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