- Published:
- Wednesday 1 July 2026 at 2:15 pm
On 25 June 2026, the Minister for Children and Minister for Disability provided the Social Services Regulator (SSR) with an updated Ministerial Statement of Expectations.
A Ministerial Statement of Expectations is a dialogue between the Minister, department and regulator to clarify the Government’s priorities, identify emerging risks and discuss opportunities for regulatory reform and improvement.
Since the Minister provided the SSR’s inaugural Statement of Expectations in October 2024, the Victorian Government has committed to urgent reforms to strengthen child safety.
The government accepted all recommendations of the independent Rapid Child Safety Review (Rapid 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.
With expanded regulatory responsibility for the Child Safe Standards, the Reportable Conduct Scheme and the Working with Children Check Scheme, in addition to the Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme, the SSR now plays a critical role in safeguarding children.
The June 2026 Statement of Expectations clarifies the Minister’s expectations for the Social Services Regulator during the period of initial implementation of the reforms.
The June 2026 Statement of Expectations should be read in concert with the October 2024 statement. You can read the two statements now:
Updated