Applying to become a nationally recognised provider

In this article, we’ll look at the application process for becoming a recognised provider and the fees involved.

Application for provider approval

Here’s a summarized version of the steps and information related to obtaining provider approval:

1. Eligibility: An individual, body corporate, eligible association, partnership, or prescribed entity can apply for provider approval.
2. Application Requirements: The application must include all information as per the National Regulations and the associated fee. There are specific application checklists available.
3. Application Submission:
   • For individuals: Send the application to the regulatory authority in the state or territory of residence.
   • For non-individuals: The application must be sent to the regulatory authority where the principal office is located.
4. Assessment of Fitness and Propriety:
   • For non-individual applicants, the regulatory authority assesses the fitness and propriety of all members of the applicant entity.
   • The applicant must prove that each person with management or control at the service is fit and proper.
5. Definition of Management or Control: This refers to executive, management, financial, and/or business decisions made by or on behalf of the approved provider. It includes directors, executive members, senior management roles, and others with significant influence.
6. Notification Requirement: If approved, the provider must notify the regulatory authority of any changes in persons with management or control. Failing to do so may result in penalties.
7. Application Submission Platform: Applications can be submitted online using the National Quality Agenda IT System on the ACECQA website.
8. Incomplete Applications: The processing time doesn’t start until the application is complete. If information is missing, the regulatory authority may request it or deem the application invalid.
9. Timeframe for Assessment: The regulatory authority has 60 calendar days to make a decision upon receiving a complete application. This can be extended by up to 30 days with the applicant’s agreement. If no decision is made within this timeframe, the application is considered refused.

Fees

This webpage from ACECQA provides details about the fees associated with being a provider under the National Quality Framework. Here’s a summary of the fees payable:

1. Application Fees:
   • The National Regulations prescribe fees for certain applications to the regulatory authority.
   • There is no fee to voluntarily suspend a provider approval or service approval, or to amend a provider approval.
2. Annual Fee:
   • An approved provider must pay the prescribed annual fee for each service approval they hold.
   • Fees must be paid to the relevant regulatory authority on or before 1 July each year.
3. Late Payment Fee:
   • The regulatory authority may charge a late payment fee if an annual fee is not paid by 1 July.
   • The late fee is 15 per cent of the relevant annual fee per 30 days (or part thereof) that the payment is overdue.
   • Failure to pay the annual fee can lead to suspension of provider approval and service approval. Repeated non-payment might indicate poor financial management, leading the regulatory authority to reassess the provider’s fitness and propriety to provide an education and care service.
4. Waiving or Varying a Fee:
   • The regulatory authority has the discretion to waive, reduce, defer, or refund a fee payable or that has been paid under exceptional circumstances.
   • The regulatory authority may offer flexible payment options to providers who cannot pay their fees due to exceptional circumstances. Decisions to waive or vary a fee are made on a case-by-case basis. For instance, a service affected by a natural disaster that has significantly impacted the provider’s financial position might be considered.
5. Indexation:
   • Fees are indexed each year according to published indexation figures. The updated fees are available on the ACECQA website before the start of each financial year.
6. GST:
   • Government regulatory fees are exempt from GST.