On 2 July 2025, the Victorian Government announced an urgent review into child safety in education and care services in Victoria. The Rapid Child Safety Review was conducted by Jay Weatherhill AO and Pam White PSM.
On 15 August 2025, the Final Report was provided to the Victorian government for its consideration.[1]
On 20 August 2025, the Victorian Government released the Final Report and its response.[2]
Here is a summary of the recommendations made to the Victorian government and its initial response.
EDUCATION AND CARE SERVICES REFORMS
Early Childhood Workforce Register
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government design the Early Childhood Workforce Register in Victoria in a way that will be compatible with the National Early Childhood Worker Register (when established) (Recommendation 4.3).
The Victorian government introduced the Early Childhood Workforce Register in July 2025 but it must now develop legislation to support its implementation.
The new Early Childhood Education and Care Regulator will be responsible for the Early Childhood Workforce Register.[3]
When: August 2026
Enforce improved recruitment and induction practices
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government issue an updated Statement of Expectations to the Department of Education, Quality Assessment and Regulation Division (QARD) that requests it to increase its focus on the way in which approved providers:
- recruit new staff, casuals and labour hire including whether they:
- undertake background checks
- ask child safety questions in interviews
- conduct reference checks with at least two previous employers, including those that are not listed as referees.
- induct staff, casuals, labour hire and volunteers so that they know their responsibilities regarding:
- keeping children safe
- staff codes of conduct
- expected behaviours
- how to report or raise concerns
- embed child safe cultures, including their leadership, governance and codes of conduct (Recommendation 5).
The Victorian government will issue a revised Statement of Expectations to QARD that will include an increased focused on monitoring and enforcing improved recruitment and induction practices.[4]
When: February 2026
Improved assessment rating certificates
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government issue modified ratings certificates to education and care services which include the period of time that the service has been rated as ‘Working Towards the National Quality Standards’ and require the approved provider to prominently display this information in the reception area and on their website (Recommendation 17.3).
The Victorian government has agreed to develop modified ratings certificates.
When: August 2026[5]
Publication of compliance and enforcement action
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government publish the full scope of permitted compliance and enforcement activity on QARD’s website (Recommendation 17.4)
QARD will increase the frequency with which it publishes information about compliance and enforcement activity on its public facing website.
When: August 2026[6]
Capability Review of QARD
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government conduct a Capability Review for QARD that will support it to:
- address complex for profit approved providers, associated entities and corporate relationships
- improve consistency of Authorised Officer assessments
- incorporate contemporary evidence on child sexual offending
- regulate individual employees
- better use technology in assessing risk (Recommendation 11.1).
The Victorian government has stated that a Capability Review will be initiated as a priority to:
- help QARD modernise its approach
- develop a revised risk assessment framework, and
- ensure that it has the best available tools and training.
When: August 2026[7]
New independent regulator
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government create a regulator for education and care services in Victoria that is independent of the Department of Education (Recommendation 9).
The Victorian government has stated that there will be a new and independent Early Childhood Education and Care Regulator.
When: unclear [8]
Increase regulatory activity
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Regulator should:
- increase the volume and frequency of unannounced compliance visits so that they occur at least once per service every 12 months
- reduce the average time between Assessment and Rating visits (Recommendation 10).
The Victorian government has stated that QARD will substantially increase the number of Authorised Officers and legal officers so that it can increase the frequency of compliance visits and quality assessments.
When: immediate[9]
It also stated that the new Early Childhood Education and Care Regulator will:
- more than double the frequency of compliance checks
- visit providers at least once every 12 months.[10]
When: August 2027[11]
Funding for regulator
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government fund the education and care services regulator so that it properly delivers its functions (Recommendation 13.1).
There is limited information about the funding that will be available for the existing and new regulator.[12]
Educator training re child sexual abuse prevention
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government update the ‘PROTECT’ training for educators to include:
- child sexual abuse prevention
- how to teach children about:
- body safety
- consent
- social and emotional learning
- seeking help (Recommendation 20.3)
The Victorian government has not specifically responded to this recommendation.
Educator training re child safety
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government expand the Children’s Safety and Safeguarding in Early Childhood Settings professional support program to include:
- latest evidence and best practice on child safety and safeguarding
- how to build a child safe culture
- recruitment, training and supervision of a child safe workforce
- responding to risks (Recommendation 21.1).
The Victorian government has stated that it will implement this recommendation after national mandatory training has been designed and implemented.
When: unclear[13]
Educator training re reporting complaints and concerns
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government provide training and clear guidance on how education and care services staff can:
- report concerns, allegations and complaints
- make anonymous reports to regulators (Recommendation 22).
The Victorian government has not specifically responded to this recommendation.
WORKING WITH CHILDREN SCHEME REFORMS
Mandatory child safety training
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government require applicants to complete mandatory online child safety training and testing before being granted a Working with Children Clearance (Recommendation 6.3).
The Victorian government will mandate every person who applies for a Working with Children Clearance to successfully complete training and testing.
When: unclear[14]
Consider unsubstantiated allegations
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government allow unsubstantiated information (e.g. from police, child protection or other relevant bodies) to be obtained, shared and considered in order to assess, refuse, temporarily suspend or revoke a WWCC (Recommendation 6.1(a))
It also recommended that the Victorian government permit a WWCC re-assessment when the regulatory authority becomes aware of new information or intelligence (Recommendation 6.1(b))
The Victorian government stated that, once responsibility for the Working with Children Scheme transfers to the Social Services Regulator, it will have the power to consider unsubstantiated allegations and intelligence.[15]
When: unclear [16]
Verify employment history
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government require organisations to verify that a worker or volunteer has provided accurate historical and current information about their movements across organisations (Recommendation 6.1(c))
The Victorian government has not specifically responded to this recommendation.
Internal review
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government create an internal review process for decisions made and remove the ability to seek review at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Recommendation 6.2)
The Victorian government has stated that it would enable reviews to be conducted by reviewers with expertise in understanding child safety risks.
When: unclear [17]
Funding
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government fund the Working with Children regulatory authority so that it is resourced to undertake more manual assessments and interventions (Recommendation 6.4).
The Victorian government has not provided any specific information about the funding and resources that are to be provided.[18]
National approach
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government work with the Commonwealth government and other states and territories to develop a national approach to Working with Children laws and advocate for a national database that is able to support real time monitoring of people with WWCC (Recommendation 6.5).
The Victorian government has committed to working with the other states and territories to develop a national approach to the Working with Children Scheme.
Other commitments
The Victorian government has also made the following commitments:
- The Regulator will have the power to immediately suspend a Working with Children Clearance while an investigation takes place.[19] It is unclear when this new power will commence.[20]
- The Regulator will be able to recognise decisions made by other states and territories to exclude a person from working with children.[21] This is due to commence very shortly.[22]
- Organisations will be required to verify and validate that workers and volunteers have a Working with Children Clearance.[23] It is unclear how these obligations differ from existing obligations and when they will commence.[24]
REPORTABLE CONDUCT SCHEME
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government change the Reportable Conduct Scheme so that:
- It can proactively share unsubstantiated allegations with relevant regulators and agencies.
- It must share substantiated findings of reportable conduct with relevant regulators and agencies i.e. there will be no discretion.
- It can recognise a finding or investigation under another state or territory’s Reportable Conduct Scheme where the reportable allegations are also captured under the Victorian scheme (Recommendation 7.1).
The Victorian government has stated that, once responsibility for the Reportable Conduct Scheme transfers to the Social Services Regulator it will be able to proactively share information relevant to child safety risks, whether substantiated or not, with other regulators and agencies.[25]
When: unclear [26]
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government fund the Reportable Conduct Scheme so that it keeps pace with demand and the number of notifications (Recommendation 7.2).
The Victorian government has not provided any specific information about the funding and resources that are to be provided.[27]
SHARED INTELLIGENCE AND RISK ASSESSMENT CAPABILITY
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government design and establish a new Shared Intelligence and Risk Assessment Capability that:
- joins up the ‘breadcrumbs’ i.e. it can quickly scan information and flag patterns of concern
- equips assessors with fit for purpose risk assessment tools so they can exercise sound judgment about an individual’s suitability to work with children
- complements and works together with other regulatory schemes so there is a common foundation across social services, disability services and aged care services to better protect all vulnerable people (Recommendation 8.1).
The Victorian government had stated that it will design new intelligence and risk assessment capability to be used across sectors that is informed and supported by evidence-based risk assessment tools, training, resources and technology.
When: unclear[28]
CONSOLIDATION OF CHILD SAFETY REGULATION
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government bring together administration of the Working with Children Scheme and the Reportable Conduct Scheme into a single entity to strengthen the safety net around children (Recommendation 8.2).
The Victorian government has stated that responsibility for the Working with Children Scheme, the Reportable Conduct Scheme and the administration of the Child Safe Standards will transfer to the Social Services Regulator.[29]
When: unclear [30]
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
The Rapid Child Safety Review recommended that the Victorian government publish advice for parents on prevention education, signs of grooming, and how to raise concerns on existing and trusted channels such as:
- maternal and child health services
- supported playgroups
- Raising Children Network
- Better Health Channel
- Victorian Parents Portal (Recommendation 18.1)
The Victorian government has stated that it will consult with parents and stakeholders, and then develop materials for parents on prevention education, signs of grooming and how to raise concerns.
When: August 2026 [31]
The Rapid Child Safety Review also recommended that the Victorian government publish advice for parents on how to make complaints or raise concerns with their education and care service and QARD, including via the public complaints and enquiry hotline (Recommendation 18.2).
The Victorian government has stated that it will consult with parents and stakeholders, and then develop materials for parents on how to make complaints and raise concerns.
When: August 2026 [32]
We will continue to keep you informed about all of the initiatives that are being implemented to better protect the safety and wellbeing of children.
In the meantime, if you would like any advice on how you can improve the safety, quality and care that you provide to children and young people, please feel free to contact us for a confidential and obligation free discussion.
Elena Totino
Founder, Director & Principal Lawyer
Safety Quality & Care Legal Services
27 August 2025
[1] State of Victoria, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Weatherill, Jay & White, Pam, Rapid Child Safety Review, 15 August 2025, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review (accessed 20 August 2025)
[2] State of Victoria, Victorian Government Response to Rapid Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review (accessed 22 August 2025)
[3] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), pp. 1-2
[4] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 2
[5] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 7
[6] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 7
[7] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 6
[8] The Victorian government has indicated that it will introduce a Bill into the Victorian Parliament in October 2025, has indicated that the new regulator will be established by the end of the year, but has not specified when the new Regulator will be operational.
[9] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 6
[10] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 1
[11] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 7
[12] The Victorian government has committed to increasing the number of Authorised Officers and legal officers but did not provide any specific details about how many additional officers would be engaged. It also did not provide any information about the funding that would be provided to the new Early Childhood Education and Care Regulator. Instead, it called on the Commonwealth government to reinstate contributions to the cost of regulation.
[13] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 8
[14] The Victorian government has indicated that it will introduce a Bill into the Victorian Parliament in October 2025 but has not specified when these proposed legislative amendments will take effect.
[15] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 2
[16] The Victorian government has indicated that it will introduce a Bill into the Victorian Parliament in October 2025 but has not specified when these proposed legislative amendments will take effect.
[17] The Victorian government has indicated that it will introduce a Bill into the Victorian Parliament in October 2025 but has not specified when these proposed legislative amendments will take effect.
[18] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 4
[19] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 2
[20] The Victorian government has indicated that it will introduce a Bill into the Victorian Parliament in August 2025 but has not specified when these proposed legislative amendments will take effect.
[21] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 3
[22] Worker Screening Amendment (Strengthening the Working with Children Check) Act 2025, s. 16 will amend section 129 of the Worker Screening Act 2020 (Vic) to prevent people that have been excluded from working with children in another state and territory from making an application for a Working with Children Clearance in Victoria
[23] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 3
[24] The Victorian government has indicated that it will introduce a Bill into the Victorian Parliament in October 2025 but has not specified when these proposed legislative amendments will take effect.
[25] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 2
[26] The Victorian government has indicated that it will introduce a Bill into the Victorian Parliament in October 2025 but has not specified when these proposed legislative amendments will take effect.
[27] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 5
[28] The Victorian government has indicated that it will introduce a Bill into the Victorian Parliament in October 2025 but has not specified when these proposed legislative amendments will take effect.
[29] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), pp. 1, 6
[30] The Victorian government has indicated that it will introduce a Bill into the Victorian Parliament in October 2025 but has not specified when these proposed legislative amendments will take effect.
[31] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 8
[32] State of Victoria, Public Response to Child Safety Review, https://www.vic.gov.au/rapid-child-safety-review, (accessed 22 August 2025), p. 8