Dangerous incidents spiking sharply in childcare, data shows

Incidents that endanger a child's health or wellbeing in childcare are taking a sharp rise in recent years, according to new national data.

The Productivity Commission found that in 2024, 160 "serious incidents" were reported per 100 National Quality Framework-approved early childhood education and care services.

"Serious incidents" are classified by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority as occasions that could harm a child's wellbeing.

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These include injuries, severe allergic reactions, illness-related events such as seizures or asthma attacks, contact with hazardous materials, or a child leaving the facility off-schedule.

The Productivity Commission found that in 2024-2025, nearly eight per cent of these serious incidents were associated with a breach of national guidelines, almost double the 4.1 per cent rate recorded in 2019-2020.

As of June 30 last year, there were 18,018 NQF-approved early childhood learning and childcare services available around the country, an increase on the year before.

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However, the commission found that while the amount of services had risen, staff quality had declined.

In 2024, 75 per cent of staff had formal qualifications at Certificate III or higher levels, or at least three years of relevant experience.

That's a significant drop from 82.1 per cent of staff with the same qualifications or experience in 2021.

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