A Ministerial Statement of Expectations is a formal public statement made by the responsible minister(s) to each regulator providing clear guidance on the Government’s strategic priorities as they relate to the regulator.
The Minister for Disability and the Minister for Children has issued two Ministerial Statements of Expectations to the Social Services Regulator (SSR).
The first statement, issued in October 2024, sets out the expectations of the SSR following significant reforms to the social services sector through the Social Services Regulation Act, which took effect on 1 July 2024.
The second statement, issued in June 2026, sets out the expectations of the SSR since the government accepted all recommendations of the independent Rapid Child Safety Review released on 20 August 2025 and is working to progress national working with children check reforms as part of the Standing Council of Attorneys General.
Both statements should be read together.
October 2024 Statement of Expectations
June 2026 Statement of Expectations
More information about Ministerial Statements of Expectations
In September 2022, the Department of Treasury and Finance developed a Statement of Expectations Framework for Regulators. The purpose of the Framework is to facilitate a dialogue between Ministers, departments and regulators to identify government’s priorities and emerging risks and to establish a process for addressing these priorities through regulators’ existing business planning processes.
Under the framework, regulators are not required to provide a response to the Minister’s letter, but their business plans must clearly demonstrate how they will meet their Minister’s expectations and include milestones to determine when the Minister’s letter needs to be updated or renewed.
The Minister’s letter and progress reports are to be made publicly available (through the SSR’s annual report).
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