Governance
Independent, accountable and evidence-led
NAECEC's credibility rests on how it governs itself. The Association is politically independent, constitutionally constrained and accountable to a membership held to explicit standards.
Independence
Constructive engagement with every level of government
The Association is not aligned with any political party. It engages with Commonwealth, state, territory and local government, regulators and stakeholders on the merits of the issue.
Advocacy is guided by evidence, sector expertise and a commitment to positive outcomes for children, families, workforce participation and sector sustainability. Where the evidence does not support a member's commercial preference, the Association's position follows the evidence.
Values
Four commitments that govern our conduct
Politically independent
NAECEC is not aligned to any political party. We engage constructively with all levels of government, regulators and stakeholders.
Evidence-led
Our positions are informed by data, sector expertise and the operational realities of delivering education and care every day.
Child-centred
Every advocacy position is tested against a single question: does this improve outcomes and safety for children?
Collaborative
We work with, not against, the wider sector — including community, not-for-profit and government providers.
Membership standards
Who can join
Membership is intended to reflect the professionalism of the sector. Applicants are expected to demonstrate:
- Demonstrated strong governance and financial stewardship
- A record of regulatory compliance under the National Quality Framework
- Robust child safety systems, policies and culture
- A genuine commitment to quality improvement and educational outcomes
- Ethical operation and professional leadership
Code of conduct
What members commit to
The Association's code of conduct is built around the following themes:
- Compliance with the National Quality Framework and all applicable law
- Child safety and wellbeing as a non-negotiable operating standard
- Integrity and honesty in dealings with families, staff and government
- Professionalism in conduct, communication and representation
- Responsible advocacy grounded in evidence rather than assertion
- Protection of the reputation of the sector and the Association
- Support for the Association's values, objectives and collective positions