title: National Quality Framework
text: # National Quality Framework
  
  The National Quality Framework (NQF) is part of the Australian Government's agenda for early childhood education and child care focused on providing Australian families with high-quality, accessible and affordable integrated early childhood education and child care. The NQF aims to raise quality and drive continuous improvement and consistency in education and care services through:
  
  * a national legislative framework
  * a National Quality Standard
  * approved learning frameworks
  * a national quality rating and assessment process
  * minimum qualifications of staff and educator to child ratios
  * a new national body called the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority.
  
  The National Quality Framework took effect on 1 January 2012 with key requirements being phased in over time. Requirements such as qualification, educator-to-child ratios and other key staffing arrangements were phased in between 2012 and 2020. The Early Years Learning Framework version 2 (an approved learning framework) was endorsed and authorised by the Australian Education Ministers in January 2023.
  
  