Victoria Commits to Overhaul of Childcare Regulation Following Damning Review

The Victorian government has announced sweeping reforms to its childcare regulatory system in response to a damning review triggered by serious allegations of child abuse in early childhood services.

The review was commissioned after a former Melbourne childcare worker was charged with over 70 counts of child sexual abuse. The case exposed systemic failures in how childcare services are monitored and regulated, prompting urgent government action.

The review identified critical weaknesses in the current system:

• Poor interagency communication hindered timely intervention.
• Legal constraints prioritized educator privacy over child safety.
• Underfunding and fragmented oversight left gaps in enforcement.
• Profit-driven providers were found to prioritize reputation over safety.

Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed that the government will implement all 22 recommendations from the review. These include:

• Establishing a new independent early childhood regulator by the end of 2025.
• Doubling the frequency of compliance checks, ensuring annual inspections at minimum.
• Reforming the Working With Children Check (WWCC) to include mandatory child safety training and streamlined suspension powers.

Immediate legislative amendments will rebalance legal frameworks to:

• Prioritize child safety over procedural fairness for educators.
• Empower employers to act on early warning signs.
• Introduce a national workers register and tougher penalties for breaches.

The review calls for:

• Enhanced staffing ratios to ensure constant supervision.
• A shift away from profit-driven models toward child-centered care.
• Creation of a national reform commission to guide future policy.

Reference:
Victorian Government Releases Damning Review Into Childcare Regulation, 22 Recommendations Accepted