AUSTRALIA — The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority Bill 2025 has been introduced in the Victorian Parliament, signalling a major shift in how the state intends to protect children in early childhood education and care. The bill follows the Rapid Child Safety Review, which urged the government to act quickly to address gaps in oversight. As a result, the government is moving to create a stronger regulatory system for early childhood settings.
Education Minister Ben Carroll tabled a statement confirming that the bill complies with Victoria’s human rights obligations. He said children must be able to learn, play and grow in safe environments. He also stressed that families deserve confidence in the services they use every day.
The bill establishes the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority, known as VECRA. It will operate as an independent regulator with responsibility for overseeing early childhood services under both the National Law and the Children’s Services Act. VECRA will monitor compliance, respond to risks and take action when safety concerns arise.
The bill also creates a statewide Early Childhood Worker Register. This register will record names, roles, employment details and clearance information for all workers. It aims to prevent unsafe individuals from moving between services. In addition, VECRA will be able to share information with the Social Services Regulator and other agencies when needed to protect children.
Furthermore, the bill introduces penalties for providers who fail to supply required information. It also sets out offences for the unauthorised access or disclosure of register data. These measures protect the privacy of workers while ensuring strong accountability.
In his second reading speech, Minister Carroll said the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority Bill 2025 delivers on the government’s commitment to implement every recommendation from the Rapid Review. He noted that the reforms will build a safer, more transparent early childhood system for all Victorian families.
