The Working with Children Regulation 2016 (Vic) came into effect on 27 March 2016, replacing the Working with Children Regulations 2006. Under the new regulations card holders are required to notify of any changes to personal particulars within 21 days of becoming aware of the change.
Latest news
Working with Children update
3 April 2016
Aged care red tape reduction
18 February 2016
On 12 February 2016, the Australian government amended the law relating to aged care to help reduce the regulatory burden on aged care providers. The amendment makes a variety of changes to help streamline the transfer of places between approved providers, as well as the management of provisionally allocated places.
Failure to protect: new criminal offence to protect children from sexual abuse
24 August 2015
On 1 July 2015, the new ‘Failure to protect’ criminal offence came into effect. The new offence applies to a person in a position of authority within an organisation who negligently fails to protect a child from the risk of sexual abuse by an adult associated with their organisation.
New criminal offence for failure to disclose child sexual abuse
13 November 2014
On Monday 27 October 2014, a new offence for failure to disclose child sexual abuse came into force.
The new offence requires that any adult who holds a reasonable belief that a sexual offence has been committed in Victoria by an adult against a child (aged under 16) disclose that information to police, unless they have a reasonable excuse.
Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees and Payments) Determination 2014
1 July 2014
Under the aged care reforms, there are changes to the fees, subsidies and accommodation prices for people entering aged care (residential and home care). The changes only apply to people entering aged care on or after 1 July 2014; current residents and clients will remain on their existing arrangements.
- see the Aged Care fees and charges page on the Department of Social Services website for more information.
Minister's Performance Standards for Registered Agencies
1 July 2014
New performance standards (Minister’s Performance Standards) for housing associations and providers registered under the Housing Act 1983 (Vic) are now in effect.
Have your say: Civil Society National Centre for Excellence
16 June 2014
The Australian Government has committed to establishing a Civil Society National Centre for Excellence (NCE). The first phase of consultation has commenced and the public are invited to contribute their views via an online survey. The survey closes 24 June 2014.
New exemption from liquor licencing
14 May 2014
An update to the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 (Vic) has removed the need for residential care facilities to obtain a licence to serve alcohol, providing that a number of conditions are met.
- For more information visit the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation website.
Co-operatives National Law takes effect
21 March 2014
On 3 March 2014, the new Co-operatives National Law and National Regulations replaced Victoria’s previous laws regulating co-operatives. The new Law will make it easier for co-operatives to operate across state borders and simplifies reporting for small co-operatives.
New Anti-Bullying Laws
16 January 2014
On 1 January 2014, new anti-bullying laws came into effect as part of an update to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cwth). Under these laws a worker can apply to the Fair Work Commission for an order to stop the bullying, and failure to comply with the order can result in a civil penalty.