Victoria is set to roll out a state-based Early Childhood Workforce Register this August—but sector advocates are raising red flags over critical exclusions that may undermine the very purpose of the reform.
Who’s Left Out?
While the register aims to track over 90% of employees in long day care and kindergarten services, agency staff and casual workers—often the most mobile and vulnerable segment—remain unaccounted for in the first stage. Family day care, occasional care, and OSHC also fall outside initial coverage.
This exclusion poses a systemic risk. Without a complete scope, individuals flagged for misconduct may continue to operate across settings without oversight.
“Until the register is expanded, people with red flags will still be able to move freely between untracked centres, undermining the whole point,” warned Victorian Greens spokesperson Anasina Gray-Barberio.
What Will the Register Include?
Centres receiving government kindergarten funding must submit data on staff—including roles, WWCC status, gender, employment dates, and reasons for departure—by August 29. The register will update quarterly and may form the foundation for a future national system.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas assures a second stage is coming by October, targeting remaining staff and broader sector settings.
Opposition Pushes Further
In response, the Opposition has proposed a six-point plan for childcare safety reform:
- Psychometric testing for all new staff
- Overhaul of the WWCC, including:
- Mandatory online abuse prevention training
- Reduction in validity from 5 to 3 years
- Integration with the police LEAP database
- Creation of an independent statutory authority for sector complaints and compliance
- Star rating system for childcare centres
- Real-time incident reporting and transparency for families
Shadow Minister Jess Wilson says agency staff should be prioritized in the register rollout, describing their mobility as a “high-risk gap.”
Experts Call for National Action
Professor Gabrielle Meagher (Macquarie University) cautions that only a national, real-time system can prevent bad actors from crossing state lines undetected.
She also calls out deeper issues:
“Certification in months, poor training, burnout, weak regulation—registration alone won’t fix a broken workforce.”
What Happens Next?
This is a moment of political opportunity and sector reckoning. A register can protect children—but only if it’s comprehensive, transparent, and paired with broader workforce reforms.
Real safeguarding demands more than data collection. It demands accountability, courage, and a refusal to ignore the gaps.
Further Reading
Services Have 1 Month To Rectify Issues Before Losing Funding
New Federal Legislation Targeting Childcare Standards
More Time, More Charges: The Sector Reckoning We Can’t Afford to Delay
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