Authorities in Victoria are set to gain the power to immediately suspend an individual’s working with children check during an investigation under new laws that will be fast-tracked through parliament. These laws are part of a broader overhaul of the child safety system in the state, following a review led by the former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill and the senior bureaucrat Pamela White.
The government initiated the review in July after it was revealed that a childcare worker in Victoria had been charged with sexually abusing eight children aged between five months and two years, despite holding a valid working with children check at the time of arrest.
The changes planned for the working with children checks (WWCC) include broadening the circumstances under which a WWCC can be suspended or revoked. Currently, in Victoria, a WWCC can only be refused or suspended if the individual is charged with, convicted of, or found guilty of a serious offence. The new legislation will allow authorities to suspend a WWCC during a reassessment due to credible allegations or credible information regarding the suitability of individuals to work with children.
The package of reforms also includes provisions to cancel a WWCC if false or misleading information was used to obtain it and extends the time limit for laying charges related to such offences from 12 months to five years and six months. Additionally, the laws will implement a mutual recognition agreement across all states and territories, ensuring individuals banned in one jurisdiction are banned in all.
The coalition opposition has announced it will not block the bill, though it may propose amendments, and the Greens are expected to support it.
Changes at the national level have also been announced, including plans to introduce a national educator register and trial CCTV in childcare centers, based on the recommendations of the Weatherill and White review. The federal government has also committed to placing the best interests and safety of children as a primary consideration in national law.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/26/victoria-child-safety-laws-working-with-children-wwcc-what-we-know-ntwnfb
