All children have a right to feel and be safe.
Victoria’s Child Safe require organisations to embed child safety in their day-to-day operations, helping keep children safe from physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse and neglect.
New came into effect on 1 July 2022. Organisations must adjust their child safety frameworks to comply with the new Standards.
The Commission for Children and Young People has practical advice on how to meet the and keep children and young people safe.
Who do the Standards apply to?
The Standards apply to Victorian organisations that:
- provide services or facilities to anyone under 18 years old
- employ children under 15 years old, whether the work is paid or unpaid.
Employing children
Before employing a child under 15, an organisation must:
- Comply with Child Safe Standards (this is an ongoing responsibility)
- Obtain a child employment permit.
The Commission for Children and Young People has released a Short Guide to the Child Safe that includes:
- an overview of the standards
- practical steps organisations can take to comply with the Standards
- answers to common questions.
Our role
The Wage Inspectorate is a sector regulator, responsible for promoting child safety outcomes, and monitoring and enforcing compliance with Child Safe Standards in Victorian workplaces.
Our regulatory approach and principles are outlined in our Compliance and Enforcement Policy.
Ask a question or report a business
To ask a question or report an employer you think is not complying with the Child Safe Standards, call 1800 287 287.
Reviewed 12 January 2023