The Social Services Regulator (SSR) is an independent statutory authority established under the Social Services Regulation Act 2021 (Vic) (SSR Act).
It began on 1 July 2024, when the Social Services Regulator replaced the Human Services Regulator.
Child safeguarding and social services regulation
In July 2025, the Victorian Government commissioned a Rapid Child Safety Review. In August 2025 it announced a range of reforms to child safety regulation in Victoria. Read the government’s announcement.
Further information about changes will be shared when available.
The initiatives in the SSR Act:
- support the safe delivery of social services
- ensure social service providers understand their role in protecting the rights of social service users
- define roles and responsibilities of social service providers
- give the SSR monitoring and enforcement powers, so it can respond to risks of harm
- improve information sharing between regulators so they can identify and respond to any risks of harm to service users.
About the Regulator
Jonathan Kaplan was appointed the inaugural Social Services Regulator of Victoria on 1 February 2024. He is responsible for protecting the rights of service users, minimising risks of avoidable harm, as well as promoting and supporting the delivery of safe and effective social services. Prior to his appointment as the Social Services Regulator, Jonathan was the CEO of the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority, which regulates education and training in schools and vocational education and training providers.
Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (with Honours) in Law and History, a Post Graduate Certificate in Management and a Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Counselling. He is also a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), an Executive Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG), and was selected as a 2025 Victorian Fellow by the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Victoria.
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