Wendy Steendam AM APM has been appointed as Early Childhood Regulator, the head of the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA).
Ms Steendam has more than 4 decades of public sector experience, including significant leadership roles.
Most recently she served as Deputy Commissioner of Victoria Police, a position she held for 11 years.
Ms Steendam will oversee the approval and regulation of more than 5,000 early childhood education and care services. These services operate under the National Quality Framework and Victorian Children’s Services Act.
Ms Steendam is also:
- a Member of the Order of Australia for her sustained service to the community
- an Australian Police Medal recipient for her leadership across public safety and enforcement
- on the Victorian Honour Roll of Women for her work protecting vulnerable communities.
Ms Steendam starts on Wednesday 1 July 2026. She replaces Adam Fennessy PSM, who has led the critical early stages of VECRA’s establishment. Mr Fennessy’s interim appointment ends on Tuesday 30 June 2026.
About the regulatory authority
Established on Thursday 1 January 2026, VECRA is Victoria’s new early childhood education and care regulator. It operates independently of the Department of Education, as recommended by the Rapid Child Safety Review.
Find out more
To learn more, visit Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority.
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