On 16 November 2011, the Minister for Employment Participation and Childcare made the Child Care Benefit (Eligibility of Child Care Services for Approval and Continued Approval) Amendment Determination 2011 (No. 2) to introduce tougher tests for child care services seeking to be eligible to provide government-assisted places. The Determination expands the definition of key personnel so that a wider range of persons can be assessed for their suitability. It also introduces a tougher suitability test, which will include:
- governance arrangements, including any arrangements with other persons for the management or supervision of the child care service;
- record of financial management, including any instances of bankruptcy, insolvency or external administration ; and
- debts that relate to child care due to the Commonwealth.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations has prepared a Regulation Impact Statement which has been approved by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.