Under the National Regulations a parent can enter the service at any time their child is there (r 157, unless entry would risk safety, conflict with a legal duty or breach a court order); see the records kept about their child on request (r 177, subject to court orders); inspect the service’s policies (r 171); get 14 days’ notice of changes to fees or significant policy changes (r 172); be told of any incident, injury, trauma or illness within 24 hours (r 86); see the educational program (r 75) and the service’s rating, approvals and regulator contact on display (r 173); and have their child’s information kept confidential (r 181). Parents can complain to the service and to the state regulator.
What families are entitled to under the National Regulations, the limits on each right, and what a service must have ready when a parent asks.
| Right | What the regulation says | Regulation |
|---|---|---|
| Enter the premises | A parent may enter at any time their child is being educated and cared for; for family day care, the residence or venue. Entry can be refused only if it would pose a risk to the safety of children and staff, conflict with a duty under the Law, or the service reasonably believes it would contravene a court order | r 157 |
| See their child’s records | The prescribed documents about an enrolled child must be made available to a parent on request; if a court order limits access, the service refers to the order; other people’s personal information has extra protections. Staff records are not available | r 177(3), (4); r 181 |
| See the policies | Current regulation 168 policies are available for inspection at the premises while care is provided, or otherwise on request | r 171(2) |
| Notice of changes | At least 14 days’ notice before any change affecting fees or how they are collected, or a policy change that may significantly affect the child’s care or the family’s ability to use the service (shorter notice only where waiting would risk a child’s safety, health or wellbeing) | r 172 |
| Be told about incidents | Notification of any incident, injury, trauma or illness as soon as practicable and within 24 hours | r 86 |
| Know about the program | Information about the educational program displayed, and a copy of the program available | r 75 |
| Key information on display | The service and provider approvals, rating, nominated supervisor, complaints contact and regulator contact, among other matters | r 173 |
| Confidentiality | Information in the service’s records is only disclosed for the child’s care or medical treatment, to the parent under regulation 177, to the regulator, as required by law, or with written consent | r 181 |
See regulation 86, regulations 73 to 76, record keeping and regulation 168 policies.
Raise it with the service first; every service must have a complaints policy and display who to contact. A complaint alleging a serious incident or a breach of the Law must be notified by the service to the regulator, and parents can also go to the regulator directly. See how to complain about a childcare centre and checking a centre’s rating and compliance history.
Yes. Regulation 157 lets a parent enter the service at any time their child is being educated and cared for. Entry can be refused only if it would pose a risk to the safety of children and staff, conflict with a duty under the Law, or the service reasonably believes it would contravene a court order.
Yes. Regulation 177(3) requires the prescribed records about an enrolled child to be made available to a parent on request, subject to any court order limiting access. Staff records are not available.
At least 14 days before any change affecting the fees charged or the way they are collected (regulation 172(2)).
Only on the grounds in regulation 157(4): risk to the safety of children and staff, conflict with a duty under the Law, or a reasonable belief that entry would contravene a court order.
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.