Welcome to the NQF e-bulletin, the department’s e-newsletter to support early childhood education and care services to implement the National Quality Framework.

Reporting of serious incidents

On 1 September 2013, amendments to the National Regulationscame into effect. These amendments included changes to the definition of ‘serious incidents’ which are required to be reported to the Regulatory Authority (the department).

Amendments to Regulation 12(b)(i) focus on the serious nature of the injury, trauma or illness of the child and the fact that a reasonable person would expect that urgent medical attention be sought in such cases.

As a result, approved providers are no longer required to notify the department of every incident, trauma or illness which results in a child requiring medical attention.

Approved providers are now only required to notify the department if the incident, trauma or illness is serious, and a reasonable person would consider urgent medical attentionisrequired.

Examples of incidents that are serious and require urgent medical attention, and therefore needto be reported to the department, include (but are not limited to) whooping cough, anaphylaxis or broken limbs.

Examples of incidents that do not needto be reported could include ear infections, cuts and abrasions or cases of a sore throat or tonsillitis. While the child may have seen a medical practitioner as a result of these incidents, the injury or illness would not be considered serious enough to warrant the notification.

The amendment does not affect other ‘serious incidents’ which mustbe reported to the department:

  • the death of a child;
  • the attendance of emergency services; and
  • any incident where a child is missing, locked in or out, or appears to have been taken or removed from the service.

More information

  • Contact your local regional office for more information.

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