Victoria Child Safe Standards
Introduction
Since January 2016, all organisations in Victoria that provide services or facilities for children must comply with the Victorian Child Safe Standards, which were updated in July 2022 for improved clarity and stronger alignment with national principles. While the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) sets and regulates these standards, many organisations find implementing them into practice quite challenging. ChildSafe Australia exists to help organisations through that journey — with tools, training, audits, and tailored support.
CCYP Oversight of the Standards
The CCYP is an independent statutory body responsible for implementing, monitoring, and regulating the Child Safe Standards in Victoria. Under the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic), CCYP has authority to:
· Define the minimum requirements and compliance indicators organisations must meet under each of the 11 Standards.
· Provide guidance, resources, and support materials (such as A Guide for Creating a Child Safe Organisation, short‑guides, translated and plain English versions) to help organisations understand and apply the Standards.
· Regulate compliance: CCYP works together with co‑regulators and sector‑specific regulators to ensure that organisations required to comply do so, including oversight of complaints, monitoring, and enforcement actions where necessary.
Organisations need to satisfy both the explicit outcomes of each of the 11 Standards and the CCYP’s published compliance indicators. Meeting the national principles is helpful, but in Victoria, that alone is not sufficient — you must also meet the standards and requirements under Victorian law.
How ChildSafe Supports VIC Organisations
Organisations in Victoria often need more than just knowing what is required — they need help understanding how to make it happen. ChildSafe Australia offers:
· Template policies, codes of conduct, and risk‑management tools aligned with CCYP’s minimum requirements.
· Training and workshops targeted at staff, leadership, and boards to build capacity in implementing the 11 Standards and responding to CCYP oversight.
· Audit and review services to assess your current compliance, map gaps against CCYP’s indicators, and build clear action plans.
· Support for community involvement, cultural safety, and systems change to ensure your organisation not only complies but lives up to the spirit of the Standards.
Reportable Conduct Scheme in Victoria
Victoria’s Reportable Conduct Scheme, overseen by the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP), requires organisations to notify CCYP and investigate allegations of misconduct or abuse involving workers or volunteers. This applies where the behaviour is one of five categories: sexual offences, sexual misconduct, physical violence, behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm, or significant neglect.
A key part of the Scheme is the timing and responsibility: once the head of an organisation becomes aware of a reportable allegation, they must notify CCYP within three days. Then, detailed information and updates must be submitted within 30 days. Organisations must also ensure investigations are carried out, unless there is involvement of Victoria Police and clearance is required.
The Scheme’s coverage has expanded recently (as of 1 July 2024), so 3rd party workers are included: labour-hire workers, secondees, directors, individual business owners engaging staff, etc. Allegations can also be made against former workers, in some cases.
Who the Scheme Applies To
The Reportable Conduct Scheme applies to a wide range of organisations that provide services or activities for children. These include:
· Education providers – government and non-government schools, kindergartens, early learning centres, and other approved education and care services.
· Health and disability services – disability service providers, in-patient health services, hospitals, and counselling or treatment providers.
· Religious bodies – churches and faith-based organisations.
· Residential and care services – out-of-home care agencies, youth justice and residential facilities, foster and kinship care providers.
· Youth and community organisations – including groups that run overnight camps, sporting associations, and cultural or recreational clubs.
These organisations are legally required to notify and cooperate with the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) when reportable allegations arise, and to have systems in place to investigate and respond appropriately. A full list of organisations can be seen on the CCYP website
How the Scheme Relates to the Child Safe Standards
The Reportable Conduct Scheme complements the Victorian Child Safe Standards. While the Standards set out organisational policies, culture, prevention and ongoing review mechanisms, the Scheme is focussed on individual allegations of misconduct and the accountability process when things go wrong. Organisations that are compliant with the Standards are better placed to meet their obligations under the Scheme, but having the Standards alone is not enough.
How ChildSafe Australia Can Assist with Reportable Conduct
ChildSafe can support organisations in Victoria to effectively respond to the requirements of the Reportable Conduct Scheme by:
· Providing guidance and training for organisation heads, managers and staff on recognising reportable conduct, thresholds, legal obligations, and timelines.
· Assisting with development of internal policies and investigation frameworks aligned with CCYP’s obligations (e.g. ensuring the 3-day and 30-day notification requirements are understood and met).
· Offering audits and reviews of current systems to identify gaps between existing practices and what is required under the Scheme (as well as the Standards).
· Supporting organisations in managing investigations, including preparing investigation plans, interviewing children and young people in safe and sensitive ways, reporting investigation findings, and implementing corrective or protective actions.
