New Child Safe Standards in Victoria
17 July 2021
New Child Safe Standards mean that not-for-profits should examine the new standards to ensure they comply with them when they come into force.
Why are there new standards?
Victoria has compulsory minimum Child Safe Standards (the Standards), which form part of the Victorian Government’s response to the Betrayal of Trust Inquiry.
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services published a review of the Standards in 2019. The Victorian Government endorsed the review’s recommendations and 11 new Child Safe Standards will replace the current seven Standards from 1 July 2022.
Which organisations need to comply?
Organisations that must comply with the Standards are those that exercise care, supervision or authority over children, whether as part of their primary function or not. To check whether your organisation must comply with the Standards, see Schedules 1 and 2 of the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic). The Victorian Commission for Children and Young People (the Commission) oversees and enforces compliance with the Standards.
Even if your organisation is not legally required to comply with the Standards, if it interacts with children, the Commission recommends you use the Standards as a guide to ensure that you are taking all reasonable steps to protect children from risks to their health and safety.
To find out more about the Victorian Child Safe Standards, see our guide to child safety in Victoria.
