Since their introduction, the Child Safe Standards (the Standards) have increased the safety of children and young people in organisations that provide services for them.
Changes are being made to the Standards that will increase protection for children and young people and provide clarity for organisations that must comply with the Standards.
New regulatory framework
A new regulatory framework for the Child Safe Standards will start on 1 January 2023.
The framework will provide regulators of the Standards with:
- contemporary graduated monitoring and enforcement powers
- improved information sharing powers.
This will aid regulators to respond to risks of child abuse and breaches of the Standards.
Child Safe Standard regulators
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Note: the Social Service Regulator has yet to be established
- A disability service provider within the meaning of the Disability Act 2006
- An applicable entity, other than a disability service provider within the meaning of the Disability Act 2006, that providers disability services
- An applicable entity that receives funding under a State contract to provide services in relation to family violence or sexual assault
- An applicable entity that receives funding under a State contract to provide support services for parents and families
- An applicable entity that receives funding under a State contract to provide housing services or other assistance to homeless persons
- An applicable entity that receives funding under a State contract to provide child protection services
- An out of home care service within the meaning of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005
- An applicable entity that receives funding under a State contract to provide early therapeutic intervention specifically for children with a disability, additional needs or developmental delay
- Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (from 1 July 2024 once SSR is established)
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- A hospital listed in Schedule 1 to the Health Services Act 1988 as a public hospital
- A hospital listed in Schedule 2 to the Health Services Act 1988 as a denominational hospital
- An applicable entity that operates a private hospital within the meaning of the Health Services Act 1988
- A public health service within the meaning of the Health Services Act 1988
- An applicable entity that operates a day procedure centre within the meaning of the Health Services Act 1988
- A multipurpose service within the meaning of the Health Services Act 1988
- A registered community health centre within the meaning of the Health Services Act 1988
- A mental health service within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 2014
- An applicable entity that operates a Maternal and Child Health Centre
- An applicable entity that receives funding under a State contract to provide drug or alcohol treatment services
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- An approved provider of an approved education and care service within the meaning of the Education and Care Services National Law (Victoria) located in Victoria
- An approved provider of an approved children’s service within the meaning of the Children’s Services Act 1996.
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- An applicable entity that employs a child and that is required to hold a child employment permit under the Child Employment Act 2003 for that employment (or a licence from 1 July 2023)
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- An applicable entity that operates a registered school within the meaning of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006
- An applicable entity registered under Division 3 of Part 4.3 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 in respect of accredited senior secondary courses, registered senior secondary qualifications, accredited foundation secondary courses and registered foundation secondary qualifications
- An applicable entity that is approved, under section 4.5.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, to provide a specified course to students from overseas
- An applicable entity that is approved, under section 4.5A.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, as suitable to operate a student exchange program
- A relevant entity that is a provider of school boarding services at a registered school boarding premises within the meaning of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006
- A relevant entity referred to in item 7 or 8 of Schedule 1 of the amending Act that is a Registered Training Organisation within the meaning of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.
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The Commission is established in the Act as the default regulator where no other regulator is allocated. the following entities have not been allocated to another regulator and therefore regulated by the Commission.
- An applicable entity that operates a school other than— (a) a registered school within the meaning of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006; or (b) a place at which home schooling takes place in accordance with a registration under section 4.3.9 of that Act (e.g. swimming schools, dance schools)
- A post-secondary education institution/provider, within the meaning of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, except for Registered Training Organisations within the meaning of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006
- An applicable entity that provides coaching or tuition services specifically for children
- An applicable entity that provides counselling or other support services specifically for children • A youth organisation (e.g. the Girl Guides and Boy Scouts)
- An applicable entity that provides cultural, sporting or recreational services specifically for children
- An applicable entity that provides gym or play facilities specifically for children
- An applicable entity that runs talent or beauty competitions in which children participate
- An applicable entity that provides overnight camps for children
- An applicable entity that provides photography services specifically for children
- An applicable entity that provides professional babysitting services
- An applicable entity that provides, on a publicly funded or commercial basis, a transport service specifically for children
- An applicable entity that provides entertainment and party services specifically for children
- An applicable entity that receives funding under a State contract to provide youth services
- A religious body within the meaning of section 81 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010
- A charity
- A non-profit body within the meaning of the Electronic Transactions (Victoria) Act 2000
- A department within the meaning of the Public Administration Act 2004 (except the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing from 1 July 2024 when the SSR will be established)
- An applicable entity that is constituted by or under any Act and that has functions of a public nature (e.g. Lifesaving Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria, Melbourne Museum, Melbourne Zoo)
- A council
Child Safe Standards effective from 1 July 2022
Eleven Standards replaced the current seven and include requirements to:
- involve families and communities in organisations’ efforts to keep children and young people safe
- provide greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people
- manage the risk of child abuse in online environments.
The new Standards provide greater clarity and practical steps for each Standard. They outline what action organisations need to take to keep children and young people safe.
If your organisation or group provides services or facilities for children or engages a child as a contractor, employee or volunteer, you have a legal obligation to comply with the Child Safe Standards.
More information about the Child Safe Standards
The Commission for Children and Young (the Commission) regulates all organisations that must comply with the Standards. They have information about:
Funded agencies
The Commission works with other regulators including the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH). Agencies funded by DFFH can find information about the Child Safe Standards on the Providers .
Education
Reviewed 30 May 2023