Child safety reforms welcomed, but more needed to support educators

Federal and state education ministers have announced a suite of reforms aimed at strengthening child safety in early childhood education.

The reforms include a national register of staff, a ban on personal mobile phones, and mandatory training to detect and report grooming and abuse.

The Independent Education Union of Australia in New South Wales and the ACT have welcomed the reforms, but say more must be done to reduce excessive paperwork and address the sector’s staff retention crisis.

Image: Image: Pexels/ Lukas

Produced By: Azucena Carrasco

Featured In Story: Brad Hayes- Federal Secretary, Independent Education Union of Australia

First aired on The Wire, Monday 8 September 2025