Tighter child transportation safety rules start today

• Tighter regulations for early childhood transportation services begin today
• Improved practices and stronger legislation to help safeguard children were called for by the Palaszczuk Government following tragic incidents in Queensland
• New radio and social media reminders rolling out as part of Queensland’s Look Before You Lock safety campaign

New rules aimed at keeping children safe on buses to and from early childhood centres come into force today, following calls from the Palaszczuk Government to improve national regulations. 

Changes to the Education and Care Services National Regulations include a requirement for someone other than the driver to be present while children get on and off the bus, a mandatory full check of the vehicle after all children have disembarked, services notifying the regulator if they provide regular transportation, and keeping records detailing exactly how children are accounted for.

The Palaszczuk Government’s Look Before You Lock safety campaign was first launched in 2020 following the tragic death of a young boy in Cairns, and warns parents, carers, and service providers to be vigilant and always check the seats before leaving a vehicle.

New Look Before You Lock radio and social media reminders are rolling out across Queensland throughout Term 1, 2023.

Quotes attributable to Minister Grace:

“Families need to have peace of mind that when they send their children off to school, kindy, or day care, they will come home safe.

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government called for these new national early childhood transport amendments to improve children’s safety.

“There were changes to the regulations in October 2020, but we’ve been pushing for further improvements and I’m pleased to see them come into force today.

“The Department of Education, as the Regulatory Authority in Queensland, does not hesitate to take serious action – up to and including prosecution - when providers fail to ensure children’s health and safety.

“It’s not just about regulations and regulatory action: we’ve been rolling out new radio and social media reminders during Term 1 as part of our Look Before You Lock safety campaign.

“It only takes one shortcut on safety to have devastating, lifelong consequences and that’s why look before you lock needs to be a habit, every single time.”

Read more about the changes to national regulations here.

The Look Before You Lock campaign promotes everyone’s responsibility to ensure the safety of children in their care before, during and after any journey. The message applies to anyone responsible for children in their vehicle, with a particular focus on the early childhood sector where buses are used to transport pre-school aged children. Visit www.qld.gov.au/lookbeforeyoulock.

ENDS

Media contact: Kate Talbot, 0439 803 211