Outside school hours care uses a 1:15 ratio for children over preschool age in most of Australia (regulation 123(1)(d)). The ACT uses 1:11 (regulation 260). Western Australia uses a table: 1 educator for up to 10 children, 2 for 11 to 26, then 1 more for each further 13, or 1 for every 10 when a preschool-age child attends (regulation 369). Only educators working directly with children count (regulation 122). Enter your state and the number of children to see the educators needed and the state qualification rule that applies on top.
A quick ratio and qualification check for before school care, after school care and vacation care, by state.
Ask WIDEN Law in your own words, for example how ratios apply when a preschool child joins vacation care, and get an answer cited to the National Law or Regulations so you can check the source. 14-day free trial, no card.
Start the 14-day free trial, no card →For a whole day of shifts and breaks, use the ratio day planner. The full guide is OSHC regulations.
1 educator to 15 children over preschool age in most states (regulation 123(1)(d)). The ACT uses 1:11 (regulation 260) and Western Australia uses its own table (regulation 369).
There is no national requirement. Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, the ACT and the Northern Territory set their own rules; NSW and Tasmania set none.
The ratio for that child's age band applies to them as well. In Western Australia the whole group moves to 1 educator for every 10 children (regulation 369).
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.