Assessment & Rating in Victoria: Be Prepared, Feel Confident & Stay Compliant
In Victoria, early childhood education and care services are committed to providing high-quality programs that support every child’s learning, safety, and wellbeing. One important part of maintaining this quality is the Assessment and Rating (A&R) process, which ensures that services are meeting the National Quality Standard (NQS).
But let’s be honest — even the most experienced services can feel a little overwhelmed when that notice arrives in the inbox.
That’s where we come in.
🔍 What is Assessment & Rating?
Assessment and Rating is the formal process used by regulatory authorities to assess how well your service meets the seven quality areas of the National Quality Standard. These areas include:
Educational program and practice
Children’s health and safety
Physical environment
Staffing arrangements
Relationships with children
Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
Governance and leadership
Services receive a rating for each quality area and an overall rating, ranging from Working Towards to Exceeding the NQS.
⏱️ How Often Does It Happen in Victoria?
In Victoria, most services are assessed every 3–5 years, but the exact timing can vary. You’ll usually receive short notice (typically around 5 days) from the Department of Education before an authorised officer visits your service.
😰 Why It Can Feel Stressful
Let’s face it — even if you’re doing great work every day, the A&R process can bring a lot of pressure:
Are our QIP and documentation ready?
Will educators remember what to say?
Are we clear on how we demonstrate practice?
Are we up to date with compliance and policies?
The key to feeling confident? Preparation. Reflection. And support.
✅ How We Can Help: Book a Spot Check
At EL Advisory Group, we support early learning services across Victoria to feel confident, prepared, and in control during their A&R journey.
Our A&R Spot Checks are designed to simulate the real thing — so your team knows what to expect and where to focus.
🛠️ What’s Included in a Spot Check:
A walkthrough of your service from the lens of an authorised officer
Review of your QIP and documentation
Interviews with educators and leaders to support readiness
Feedback on areas for improvement and celebration
Tailored strategies to build confidence and clarity in your team
Whether you’re due soon or just want to stay ready all year round, our spot checks help you lift quality, engage your team, and feel prepared — not panicked.
🎯 Why Services Choose Us
✔️ We know the Victorian A&R process inside out
✔️ We offer supportive, non-judgmental feedback
✔️ We tailor our visits to your unique context
✔️ We empower educators with confidence, not compliance fear
✔️ We help you translate the NQS into meaningful everyday practice
📅 Ready to Book a Spot Check?
Let’s take the stress out of Assessment and Rating — and turn it into an opportunity to shine.
👉 Book your spot check now or contact us to learn more about our A&R support packages.
Your service deserves to feel prepared, your educators deserve to feel confident, and your quality practice deserves to be recognised.