Victoria’s 11 Child Safe Standards have applied since 1 July 2022 and are mandatory for organisations working with children, including every long day care, family day care, OSHC, vacation care, limited hours and occasional care service. Since February 2026 the Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme are administered by the Social Services Regulator (previously the Commission for Children and Young People), and the regulator that enforces them for early childhood services is the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA). They sit alongside, not instead of, the National Law and Regulations.
The 11 Standards in plain terms, who regulates them for early childhood services after the 2026 changes, and how each one maps to an obligation you already have under the NQF.
| # | Standard (summarised) | Related NQF obligation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A culturally safe environment in which the identities and experiences of Aboriginal children are respected and valued | EYLF principles, Quality Area 6 |
| 2 | Child safety and wellbeing embedded in leadership, governance and culture | governance policy, code of conduct |
| 3 | Children are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions and are taken seriously | regulation 155 |
| 4 | Families and communities are informed and involved | NQS Standard 6.1 |
| 5 | Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected | Inclusion Support Program |
| 6 | People working with children are suitable and supported | working with children checks, staff records, induction |
| 7 | Complaints and concerns processes are child-focused | complaints policy |
| 8 | Staff and volunteers have ongoing education and training to keep children safe | child protection and child safety training |
| 9 | Physical and online environments promote safety and minimise opportunities for harm | supervision plan, digital technologies and personal devices |
| 10 | Implementation is regularly reviewed and improved | policy review schedule, QIP |
| 11 | Policies and procedures document how the organisation is child safe | child safe environment policy (regulation 168(2)(h)) |
Standard wording is summarised from the Short guide, which sets out each Standard’s minimum requirements and compliance indicators.
The Standards are enforced by five co-regulators. For long day care, family day care, outside school hours care, vacation care, limited hours and occasional care, that is the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (Social Services Regulator). The regulators take a risk-based approach: when concerns are raised they may monitor, investigate and enforce compliance. Responsibility for the Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme moved from the Commission for Children and Young People to the Social Services Regulator in February 2026 (vic.gov.au).
Cultural safety for Aboriginal children; leadership, governance and culture; empowering children; involving families and communities; equity and diversity; suitable and supported staff; child-focused complaints; education and training; safe physical and online environments; regular review; and documented policies and procedures.
Yes. They apply to long day care, family day care, outside school hours care, vacation care, limited hours and occasional care services, and are enforced for those services by the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority.
The Social Services Regulator, which took over the Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme from the Commission for Children and Young People in February 2026.
The updated 11 Child Safe Standards came into effect on 1 July 2022.
WIDEN Law answers National Quality Framework questions with inline citations to the National Law, the Regulations and the NQS, so you can check the source provision yourself.
14-day free trial, no card →This page is a research summary, not legal or compliance advice. It is written in our own words from the sources linked on the page; confirm the position with your regulatory authority before relying on it for a compliance decision.