Childcare protections pass parliament

The Worker Screening Amendment (Strengthening the Working with Children Check) Bill 2025 amends the Worker Screening Act 2020 to strengthen the protections of the Working with Children Check.

Introducing the legislation, Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny told the Legislative Assembly enhanced screening measures are necessary to reduce the risk to children.

‘The safety and wellbeing of our children is of paramount concern to the Victorian Government,’ she said.

‘The recent allegations of child abuse that have come to light demonstrate an urgent need to ensure that the systems in place to protect children in Victoria are robust and effective.’

The Bill will amend the Act to recognise a Working with Children exclusion issued in another state or territory as an automatic exclusion under Victoria’s scheme.

‘All jurisdictions share a common objective of preventing individuals who pose an unacceptable risk from working or volunteering with children,’ Ms Kilkenny said.

Other key reforms include:

• expanding Working with Children Check suspension powers
• cancelling clearances granted in certain circumstances
• expanding the limitation period to prosecute the offence of providing false or misleading information.

The Opposition expressed support for the Bill but indicated it doesn’t go far enough.

‘Nothing this parliament does is as important as protecting our children and keeping them safe.’ Michael O’Brien, Malvern MP said.

‘This bill is unlikely to do much to keep Victorian kids safe, particularly not when compared with the opportunity to implement the Ombudsman’s recommendations from three years ago.’

Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino said there are more changes on the way.

‘At the moment this is the first step, so strengthening the Working with Children Checks is an incredibly important aspect of dealing with care and with people who work with children in this state,’ she said.

‘We have to get it right, and this is what we are working towards right now.’

Once it passed the Lower House, the Bill moved to the Legislative Council where Opposition and minor party MPs attempted to make amendments.

Southern Metropolitan MP Georgie Crozier outlined suggested alterations, including to the frequency of Working with Children Checks, which are currently necessary every five years.

‘We believe that they should be checked every three years. That should not be onerous. It needs to be done in the interests of children and to bring back trust to families and parents of children,‘ she said.

Northern Metropolitan MP Enver Erdogan reinforced the Government’s commitment to putting forward additional reforms to strengthen the Working with Children Check scheme in October 2025.

‘I think these reforms are vital and important,’ he said.

‘Every child deserves to be safe, and every parent must be able to trust that the system will keep them safe. This work is being undertaken as a matter of urgency.’

The sensitive subject matter had a profound effect as many members addressed the Upper House.

‘Let us be clear, this alleged child abuse scandal in Victoria has been the most harrowing to read, listen to and watch,’ Northern Metropolitan MP Anasina Gray-Barberio said.

‘Like many Victorians, I am heartbroken and cannot say enough how sorry I am, and the Greens are to the families impacted by this tragedy, that Victoria has found itself in this situation.’

Ultimately, the amendments were not agreed, and the Bill passed before receiving Royal Assent from the Governor.