Child protection training in Queensland: which course meets s162A, and what is the deadline?

If you work (or volunteer) in an early childhood education and care service in Queensland, new national child safety reforms have changed what “compliance” looks like for child protection training.

From 27 February 2026, Queensland services regulated under the National Quality Framework must ensure key roles complete approved child protection training to meet section 162A (s162A) of the National Law.

This guide explains:

• which courses count as approved training in Queensland
• who must complete the training
• the compliance deadlines, including the 27 August 2026 deadline for broader staff and volunteers
  

What’s required? 

S162A requires approved providers to ensure certain people at the service complete prescribed child protection training within the prescribed period. That includes nominated supervisors, people in day-to-day charge, staff members and volunteers.

In Queensland, the state regulator points services to the ACECQA list of approved child protection training for the currently accepted courses. 

Who must complete child protection training in Queensland?

Queensland’s regulatory guidance is clear: from 27 February 2026, these roles must complete approved child protection training:

• nominated supervisors
• persons in day-to-day charge
• staff members (in any role)
• volunteers (including students)
• family day care coordinators (also written as “co-ordinators” in some guidance)

Important: not just people “working with children”

In Queensland, the requirement applies to all staff and volunteers, even if they do not work directly with children.  

Which courses are approved in Queensland ?

ACECQA’s approved list (updated 27 February 2026) includes the following options accepted in Queensland:

• Foundations of child safety training
• CHCPRT025 – Identify and report children and young people at risk
• CHCPRT001 – Identify and respond to children and young people at risk (superseded, but accepted if already completed)
• CHCPRT026 – Support the rights and safety of children and young people
• CHCPRT002 – Support the rights and safety of children and young people (superseded, but accepted if already completed)
• CHCECE057 – Use collaborative practices to uphold child protection principles

Tip: If a team member has already completed CHCPRT001 or CHCPRT002 in the past, it may still count (even though superseded), so check training records before re-enrolling them.

What is the deadline to comply in Queensland?

Queensland sets two key timeframes under the new rules:

Required from 27 February 2026

These roles must hold one of the approved courses from 27 February 2026:

• nominated supervisors
• persons in day-to-day charge
• family day care coordinators

Deadline 2: by 27 August 2026

All other staff members and volunteers (including students) have 6 months from 27 February 2026 to complete an approved course. That makes the practical deadline 27 August 2026.

A simple compliance checklist for services

Use this to stay audit-ready:

1. Run a training audit: list every staff member, volunteer and student, and what (if any) approved unit/module they have completed.
2. Match evidence to the approved list: confirm the course name and code, and keep completion certificates or Statements of Attainment on file.
3. Prioritise critical roles first: nominated supervisors, day-to-day charge, and FDC coordinators should be done (or evidenced) already due to the 27 Feb 2026 requirement.
4. Book remaining staff early: do not leave the broader team until August. Build a buffer for leave, turnover, and placement students.
5. Update onboarding: add s162A training to induction so new starters are covered.
6. Do not confuse s162A with s162B: s162B is separate mandatory child safety training delivered via national modules in Geccko. (Worth planning alongside s162A so you cover both.

FAQs (for quick answers)

Does the free Geccko Foundations training count for s162A in Queensland?

Yes. Queensland recognises the Foundations of child safety training module for s162A purposes.

Do volunteers and students really need this training?

Yes. In Queensland, volunteers (including students) must complete approved child protection training, with the same 6-month transition period that applies to non-leadership roles. 

What if someone completed CHCPRT001 or CHCPRT002 years ago?

Those units are noted as superseded, but accepted if already completed. Keep the evidence on file.

What is the difference between s162A and s162B?

s162A covers child protection training (jurisdiction-approved options). s162B covers child safety training (national modules via Geccko) and has its own rollout requirements. 

Need support getting your team compliant?

Venture Education takes a clear, practical and compliance-safe approach to training and communication, with a focus on making requirements easy to action across busy services.

If you want help mapping your team against the approved list, choosing the right unit/module, and building a simple training rollout plan before 27 August 2026, we can help. Contact us here.