Child Protection Refresher Training: How Often Do You Need a Refresher Course?
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Child protection refresher training keeps educators and childcare workers prepared to identify and report children and young people at risk of abuse or neglect. With significant changes to the National Quality Framework rolling out in 2025 and 2026, your knowledge of child protection legislation may already be outdated. Now is the time to learn when and how often to refresh your knowledge, who needs to complete the course, and what the recent reforms mean for your training requirements.
The Recommended Refresher Schedule
Child protection training does not technically expire. However, best practice is all staff working with children complete child protection refresher training every 12 to 24 months or whenever significant changes are made to child protection laws. The 2025 and 2026 reforms to the National Quality Framework represent exactly this kind of significant change,.
For educators who previously completed nationally recognised training such as CHCPRT025 Identify and Report Children and Young People at Risk, a refresher course helps maintain current knowledge without repeating the full accredited training.
Who Needs a Refresher Training Course?
Child protection training requirements apply to everyone working with children in education and care services. This starts at the top with nominated supervisors who are directly responsible for overseeing the daily operations of an education and care service. Persons in day-to-day (staff who step into supervisory responsibilities when the nominated supervisor is absent) need the same level of child protection knowledge to maintain compliance. Teachers and teaching assistants also need to maintain their child protection awareness. Family day care educators and coordinators, outside school hours care (OSHC) staff, and volunteers must complete also approved child protection training.
Schedule Your Child Protection Refresher Course
Child protection is part of everyday practice in early childhood education and care. A single training course completed years ago cannot account for changes to legislation, evolving indicators of child abuse, or new responsibilities. Schedule your child protection refresher course today to ensure you are prepared to support children and meet your obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a Mandatory Reporter?
All early childhood educators and teachers in Australia are mandatory reporters, meaning you have a legal obligation to report suspected abuse or neglect to child protection authorities if you work with children.
Will the New Mandatory Child Safety Training Replace My Existing Qualifications?
No. The February 2026 changes add additional requirements and do not replace mandatory reporting or other child protection training obligations. Staff who have completed CHCPRT025 prior to this will need to complete the new training.
Can I Complete Child Protection Refresher Training Online?
CHCPRT025 child protection courses are delivered via blended learning, which combines online modules with face-to-face practical training and assessment. You can complete the online component at your own pace, but face-to-face attendance is required.
