Terms of Reference
The Victorian Government will undertake a rapid review to identify the immediate actions that can be taken to improve the safety of children in early childhood education and care settings.
The review will provide their report to the Victorian Government no later than 15 August 2025.
The review will be led by a two-person panel comprising Mr Jay Weatherill AO and Ms Pam White PSM. Mr Jay Weatherill AO will chair the Review.
Scope of review
The review should:
identify the immediate actions the Victorian Government can take to improve the safety of children in early childhood education and care settings, including but not limited to:
a. analyse the National child safety reform program to identify actions that can be fast tracked and/or strengthened in Victoria and identify any gaps.b. explore specific strategies that Victoria could advocate nationally to adopt or accelerate that would enhance child safety.
- identify options to improve interactions between regulatory schemes, including information sharing between regulators and agencies, both within Victoria and across jurisdictions.
- advise on opportunities to strengthen the Working With Children Check regulatory framework.
- take into account recent reviews from other jurisdictions, international best practice and relevant inquiries, including but not limited to:
a. Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) Review of Child Safety Arrangements under the National Quality Framework Final Report (published, December 2023)
b. Independent review into the NSW Early Childhood Education and Care Regulatory Authority (published, June 2025)
c. System responses to child sexual abuse by the Queensland Family and Child Commission (underway)
d. Victorian Ombudsman’s report Investigation into a former youth worker’s unauthorised access to private information about children (published, September 2022)
e. Victorian Government Internal Review into Working with Children Check (April 2025).
- consult with relevant experts as appropriate.
- outline timeframes and sequencing for recommended reforms.
Out of scope
- There are ongoing investigations into alleged incidents at Victorian early childhood education and care settings. The Review will not take any actions that could prejudice live Victoria Police investigations, criminal or civil proceedings, or any investigation underway by Victorian Regulatory authorities.
- The review will highlight priorities to support regulatory activity and reform and is not intended to be a review of the performance or governance of the Victorian Regulatory Authority.
Raising concerns about an early childhood service
Under the National Law, services must report matters including any serious incidents, allegations of abuse and any complaints alleging that a serious incident has occurred.
These matters are investigated by the Regulatory Authority.
You can contact your early childhood service manager directly or the Approved Provider if you're concerned about:
- the safety, health, or wellbeing of children
- staff behaviours and practices
- any other matter.
It's the service's responsibility to deal with all complaints in a positive, constructive and professional manner.
You can also make a complaint to the Regulatory Authority (QARD). All notifications are taken seriously and investigated. Reports can be made anonymously.
Anyone with concerns about the safety of children in early childhood services, should call the Regulatory Authority on 1300 307 415.
For more information regarding complaints, visit: Making a complaint about an early childhood service.
If you have concerns or allegations regarding possibly unlawful behaviour within a childcare setting, contact police Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the Crime Stoppers website.
Visit the investigation of alleged incidents in childcare centres page for more information.
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