225Functions of National Authority

225 Functions of National Authority (1) The functions of the National Authority are as follows— (a) to guide the implementation and administration of the National Quality Framework and to monitor and promote consistency in its implementation and administration; (b) to report to and advise the Ministerial Council on the National Quality Framework; (c) to report to the Regulatory Authorities and the relevant Commonwealth Department in relation to the following— (i) the collection of information under this Law; (ii) the evaluation of the National Quality Framework; (d) to establish consistent, effective and efficient procedures for the operation of the National Quality Framework; (e) to determine the arrangements for national auditing for the purposes of this Law; (f) to keep national information on the assessment, rating and regulation of education and care services; Sch. s. 225(1)(g) substituted by No. 9/2017 s. 59(a). (g) to establish and maintain national registers of approved providers and approved education and care services and to publish those registers; Sch. s. 225(1)(ga) inserted by No. 53/2025 s. 104. (ga) to establish, maintain and publish the National Early Childhood Worker Register; (h) to promote and foster continuous quality improvement by approved education and care services; (i) to publish, monitor and review ratings of approved education and care services; (j) to make determinations with respect to the highest level of rating for approved education and care services; (k) in conjunction with the Regulatory Authorities, to educate and inform education and care services and the community about the National Quality Framework; (l) to publish guides and resources— (i) to support parents and the community in understanding quality in relation to education and care services; and (ii) to support the education and care services sector in understanding the National Quality Framework; (m) to publish information about the implementation and administration of the National Quality Framework and its effect on developmental and educational outcomes for children; (n) to publish practice notes and guidelines for the application of this Law; Sch. s. 225(1)(o) substituted by No. 9/2017 s. 59(b). (o) to provide support and training for staff of Regulatory Authorities; (p) to determine the qualifications required to be held by educators, including the assessment of equivalent qualifications; (q) any other function given to the National Authority by or under this Law. (2) In carrying out its functions, the National Authority must ensure that the regulatory burden on education and care services is minimised as far as possible. (3) In carrying out its functions, the National Authority must have regard to the objectives and guiding principles of the National Quality Framework.