An independent national student ombudsman is being touted to hold the education sector to account and keep kids safe.

The idea was presented to education ministers when they met in Hobart on Thursday.

Child safety was a key part of the meeting with a renewed focus on the education sector after universities were slammed for their handling of sexual assault complaints.

Australian Federal Police and the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) also brief ministers about an investigation into an alleged offender raping almost 100 children in childcare centres over 15 years.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said any standalone body needed to have the power to act but no date had been set for its implementation as it could need legislation.

“Whatever we do, it needs to have teeth,” he told ABC radio on Friday.

“The time for talking is over.”

Confusion around the rules of mandatory reporting is also being investigated by ACECQA.

Training staff to spot grooming is also being floated.

Mr Claire said the regulator was also looking at banning private mobile phones by educators in childcare centres, harmonising background checks across states and a register for educators not classified as teachers.

Education ministers will meet again next month to discuss the proposals further and make a decision.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

– AAP