First educator suspended under tough new Victorian child safety laws

The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) has used its new powers to suspend an early childhood educator who is alleged to have used excessive force against a child at a service in Central Victoria.

The educator, who worked for an outside school hours care (OSHC) service in the Greater Bendigo region, was immediately stood down by the service and subsequently sacked by them for serious misconduct.

Thanks to this new power, VECRA is able to ensure that the educator cannot work elsewhere in early childhood while it undertakes an investigation into these serious allegations.

This new power, which came into effect in Victoria on 27 February 2026, gives VECRA another tool to tackle alleged misconduct from educators that risks the safety of children where the threshold is not necessarily met for immediate prohibition.

Section 178BA of the National Law in Victoria allows VECRA to give an educator a suspension direction if the Regulatory Authority is reasonably satisfied:

• the relevant person is not complying with any provision of the National Law, or
• there is a risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of children being educated and cared for at an education and care service if the relevant person continues to provide education and care at the service.

VECRA determined that the educator presented a risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of children at an early childhood service. VECRA is now investigating the educator for the offence of inappropriate discipline. The suspension will last for 70 days while this investigation is underway.

VECRA has also shared this information with other regulators to ensure they are aware and can take action if required.

The maximum penalty the educator could receive for contravening this suspension notice is $20,400.

Quotes attributable to Adam Fennessy PSM, Interim Early Childhood Regulator:

“This new power enables VECRA to stop risky educators from working elsewhere in the sector while we investigate.”

“VECRA won’t hesitate to take strong action against people who put children’s safety at risk, and this includes suspending them while we investigate serious breaches of the law.”

“The National Quality Standard is clear - all services must ensure their educators promote relationships with children that are responsive, respectful and promote children’s sense of security and belonging. VECRA will take swift action when there is evidence of inappropriate discipline.”

Further background

On 1 January 2026, the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) commenced operations as Victoria's new independent early childhood regulator.

A key recommendation from the 2025 Rapid Child Safety Review, the new independent regulator oversees safety, quality, and compliance in early childhood services across Victoria.

Media contact: vecra.media@education.vic.gov.au