More Than 22,000 ‘Serious Incidents’ Recorded at Australian Childcare Services

Two deaths in early childhood centres were also recorded, as per the report.

Young Bodhi Collins cools off at a water park in Yarrabilba, west of Brisbane, Australia on Nov. 30, 2023. AAP Image/Jono Searle

Serious incidents reported in early childhood education facilities in Australia have risen to a new high, according a 2026 Productivity Commission report.

The data revealed 22,364 incidents nationally involving injury, trauma or illness at early childhood education and care services in 2024-25, up from 20,281 in 2023-24.

Emergency services attended early childhood services 3,300 times in 2024-25, up from 3,275 in 2023-24. Two incidents in 2024-25 involved the death of a child, the same number reported in 2023-24 (pdf).

The rate of serious incidents per 100 childcare centres also rose to a “new high” of nearly 160.

“Nationally in 2024-25, there were 159.8 serious incidents per 100 National Quality Framework (NQF) approved services, up from 148.1 in 2023-24,” the report published on Feb. 10 stated (pdf).

Most of these incidents, or 77 percent, involved serious injury, trauma or an illness to a child. Emergency services were required in 11.5 percent of these events.

Nearly 8 percent of serious incidents were linked to a confirmed breach of legislation or rules at a NQF approved service.

“Serious incidents includes any incidents: involving the death of a child; involving serious injury or trauma to, or illness of, a child; where the attendance of emergency services was sought (or ought reasonably to have been sought); and where a child has been locked in or out, removed from the premises in contravention of regulations, or is unaccounted for,” the report stated.

A child who was locked in or out, taken away or unaccounted for made up 3,128 cases nationally, up from 2,662 occasions in 2023-24.

‘Alarming’: Shadow State Education Ministers Respond

Meanwhile, in New South Wales, there were 154 serious incidents per 100 centres in 2024-2025, up from 138.2 in 2023-24.

Shadow Minister for Early Education Felicity Wilson said the report laid bare an “alarming” increase.

“As parents, we expect that when we send our kids to preschool, childcare, or out of school hours care that they are safe and cared for,” Wilson said.

“But the data released by the Productivity Commission is beyond startling with the massive increases in serious incidents showing that parents’ concerns are not being met with the urgency required.”

In Victoria, Shadow Government Services Minister Brad Rowswell said the report raised serious concerns.

He said Victorian preschools recorded 1,139 serious incidents in 2024-25, a sharp increase from 710 incidents just two years earlier.

“Incidents involving children being locked in or out of services, children being unaccounted for, and repeated emergency service callouts are simply unacceptable,” Rowswell said.

Government Minister Admits Data Concerning

Federal Minister for Early Education Jess Walsh admitted the data was concerning.

“And we want parents to know that safety is the number one issue when it comes to early learning for education ministers around the country,” she told reporters.

Walsh said the government was excited to be building more quality not-for-profit early learning centres.

“We have our $1 billion Building Early Education Fund to deliver more quality not‑for‑profit early education in the places where families need it,” she said.

“We have a $200 million plan to strengthen the sector including, as you mentioned, the workforce as well, because we know a quality workforce is the key to keeping children safe and delivering quality early learning,” she said.

Combined state and federal spending on early learning rose to $12,794 per child in 2024-25, up from $11,815 in 2023-24.

Advocacy Group Says Not Need to Rush Children into Childcare

Advocacy group Childcare Choice said the data was a timely reminder that rushing to get children into childcare was “misconceived.” 

“Mothers instinctively want to stay close to their babies and toddlers, to ensure they’re there to protect children who are too small to advocate for themselves,” said spokeswoman Jane Fleming, in a statement to The Epoch Times.

“These new revelations about centre-based care once again remind us that parents should not be forced to override their instincts.

 ”My heart goes out to all those parents who were forced to for financial reasons and who are now dealing with the trauma of realising their babies were in unsafe environments."