We may conduct unannounced site visits and spot checks to check that the Child Care Subsidy is being administered correctly and to allow any safety concerns observed to be reported to state and territory regulators.
On this page:
What are spot checks
Spot checks are unannounced in-person visits conducted by authorised officers of the department.
They allow the officers to enter approved early childhood and care (ECEC) services to:
- identify Child Care Subsidy (CCS) compliance issues
- report any observed quality and safety concerns to local regulators.
Spot checks aim to:
- ensure services comply with their obligations under Family Assistance Law (FAL)
- confirm CCS is managed correctly and that government funds are being used properly
- report any observed quality and safety concerns to state or territory regulators
- build sector capability and improve accountability
- detect any broader issues early
- highlight best practise examples.
Spot check pilot
A pilot will run from October 2025 to November 2025.
Spot checks will be conducted at 40–45 services across regional and urban areas, including New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.
Authorised officers will:
- introduce themselves and show their authorised person identity cards
- provide the service with forms, such as a consent to enter premises form.
Spot checks will:
- verify that services are meeting their legislative obligations under the FAL
- assess whether services are reporting enrolment and attendance accurately and CCS is being administered correctly
- confirm accurate record-keeping
- ensure services have procedures in place to manage payments and fees
- share examples of effective practise and provide services with greater clarity about expectations under FAL, CCS, and 2025 reforms.
Findings from the pilot will be used to shape a scalable and national consistent framework for spot checks.
The pilot supports the department's new powers of entry, to undertake unannounced spot checks. The pilot aligns with the department's broader integrity, quality and safety agenda.
More information
The following resources can help you check and improve compliance, quality and safety:
- strengthening safety through Child Care Subsidy on our website
- Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority website for information on the National Quality Framework and quality and safety standards
- reach out to your local regulator.