Service Approval
Administered by: Department of Communities / Education and Care Regulatory Unit
When is this licence required?
You will need this approval to operate a family day care or centre-based service for children under 13 years of age. A service approval authorises you to operate an education and care service.
Family day care is an approved form of child care provided in an educator's home.
A centre-based service is an education and care service delivered at a centre and can include:
- most long day care
- preschool
- outside school hours care services.
Before you apply for this approval, you must have applied for or have been granted a provider approval. A provider approval enables you to apply for a service approval. Provider approvals are nationally recognised, which means that you do not need to have a separate provider approval if you intend to operate an education and care service in another jurisdiction.
You will need a separate service approval for each education and care service you plan to operate. If you plan to operate more than one service, you will need to apply separately for each service approval.
What are the eligibility requirements for this licence?
To be eligible for service approval you must:
- have a sound understanding of the National Quality Framework, the approval process and associated costs
- be an approved provider or have already applied for provider approval
- be the person who will operate the service and who is responsible for the management of the staff members and nominated supervisor of the service.
A service approval will not be granted until your provider approval is granted. The associated document outlines further information on requirements, including what information you must include with your application.
Before it begins to operate, a service must have at least one nominated supervisor. There is no maximum number of nominated supervisors a service can have at one time.
How much does this licence cost?
| Task | Type | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | Application | - | Fee information is in the attached fee resource. |
How often do you need to apply for this licence?
This approval is ongoing unless it is suspended, cancelled or surrendered.
Are there any specific application requirements?
| Task | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial | Your application will need to include:
|
| Initial | You must create an online NQA ITS account to submit the required application forms. |
What forms provide more information?
| Task | Forms |
|---|---|
| Initial | National Quality Agenda IT System (Online) |
| Initial | Applications and Notifications Forms |
What resources provide more information?
| Task | Type | Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Comply | Advisory Material | Getting Started Online |
| Comply | Application Guidance | Guide to the National Quality Framework |
| Comply | Advisory Material | Indexed Fees |
What legislation specifies this licence?
Education and Care Services National Law (WA) Act 2012 (Western Australia)
Education and Care Services National Regulations 2012 (Western Australia)
Who can you talk to for more information?
Enquiries
Department of Communities / Education and Care Regulatory Unit
| Operating address | 111 Wellington Street East Perth, Western Australia 6004 |
| Mailing address | PO BOX 6242 East Perth, Western Australia 6892 |
| Phone | 1800 199 383 |
| Phone | 08 6551 8333 |
| ecru@communities.wa.gov.au | |
| Business website | Education and Care Regulatory Unit |
More Information
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