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Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022)

Australia: Victoria
v11 Child Safe Standards made under s 17 of the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic), gazetted 1 July 2021, in force 1 July 2022; Act at Authorised Version No. 047 (1 July 2026)
12 domains
53 controls

Victoria's 11 Child Safe Standards and their minimum requirements for every organisation working with children, with the compliance, notice and officer due diligence duties of the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005.

Verified

Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) is a compliance framework from Australia: Victoria with 12 domains and 53 controls that map to 3 other frameworks. The largest domains are Standard 2: Leadership, governance and culture – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) (6 controls), Standard 3: Children and young people empowered and heard – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) (6 controls), Standard 11: Policies and procedures – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) (5 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.

Maintained by Gerard Blokdyk

Framework summaries on this platform are AI-assisted interpretations for educational and compliance planning purposes. They do not reproduce or replace the official standards. Refer to the authoritative source for the definitive text. Framework names and trademarks belong to their respective organisations.

Framework Domains (12)

Legal framework: Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 Part 6 – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022)

3 controls
Controls in the Legal framework: Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 Part 6 – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) domain of Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) — 3 controls
CodeTitle
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s19ss 19 to 23A Comply with all 11 Child Safe Standards and their minimum requirements
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s30-32ss 30 to 32 and 34D Answer notices to produce and notices to comply, truthfully and on time
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s32As 32A Officers exercise due diligence so the entity complies with notices

Standard 10: Review and improvement – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022)

3 controls
Controls in the Standard 10: Review and improvement – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) domain of Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) — 3 controls
CodeTitle
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s10-10.110.1 Regularly review, evaluate and improve child safe practices
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s10-10.210.2 Analyse complaints, concerns and incidents for causes and systemic failures
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s10-10.310.3 Report review findings to staff, families, community and children

Standard 11: Policies and procedures – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022)

5 controls
Controls in the Standard 11: Policies and procedures – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) domain of Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) — 5 controls
CodeTitle
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s11-11.111.1 Policies and procedures address every Standard
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s11-11.211.2 Policies are documented and easy to understand
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s11-11.311.3 Best practice and stakeholder consultation inform policy development
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s11-11.411.4 Leaders champion and model policy compliance
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s11-11.511.5 Staff and volunteers understand and implement policies

Standard 1: Cultural safety for Aboriginal children and young people – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022)

5 controls
Controls in the Standard 1: Cultural safety for Aboriginal children and young people – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) domain of Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) — 5 controls
CodeTitle
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s1-1.11.1 Encourage and support children's expression of culture and cultural rights
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s1-1.21.2 Equip all members to appreciate the strengths of Aboriginal culture
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s1-1.31.3 Identify, confront and address racism with consequences
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s1-1.41.4 Support participation and inclusion of Aboriginal children, young people and families
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s1-1.51.5 Policies and systems together create a culturally safe and inclusive environment

Standard 2: Leadership, governance and culture – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022)

6 controls
Controls in the Standard 2: Leadership, governance and culture – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) domain of Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) — 6 controls
CodeTitle
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s2-2.12.1 Make a public commitment to child safety
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s2-2.22.2 Champion and model a child safe culture at every level
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s2-2.32.3 Governance arrangements implement the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy at all levels
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s2-2.42.4 A Code of Conduct sets expected behaviour for staff and volunteers
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s2-2.52.5 Risk management focuses on preventing, identifying and mitigating risks to children
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s2-2.62.6 Staff and volunteers understand information sharing and record keeping obligations

Standard 3: Children and young people empowered and heard – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022)

6 controls
Controls in the Standard 3: Children and young people empowered and heard – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) domain of Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) — 6 controls
CodeTitle
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s3-3.13.1 Inform children and young people about all their rights
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s3-3.23.2 Recognise friendships and encourage peer support
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s3-3.33.3 Offer age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention programs where relevant
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s3-3.43.4 Staff are attuned to signs of harm and provide child-friendly ways to be heard
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s3-3.53.5 Strategies to build a culture that invites and responds to children's input
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s3-3.63.6 Provide opportunities to participate and respond to contributions

Standard 4: Families and communities informed and involved – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022)

4 controls
Controls in the Standard 4: Families and communities informed and involved – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) domain of Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) — 4 controls
CodeTitle
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s4-4.14.1 Families participate in decisions affecting their child
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s4-4.24.2 Communicate openly with families and community about the child safe approach
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s4-4.34.3 Families and communities have a say in policies and practices
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s4-4.44.4 Inform families and community about operations and governance

Standard 5: Equity and diverse needs – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022)

4 controls
Controls in the Standard 5: Equity and diverse needs – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) domain of Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) — 4 controls
CodeTitle
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s5-5.15.1 Understand diverse circumstances and support vulnerable children
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s5-5.25.2 Culturally safe, accessible and easy to understand information, support and complaints
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s5-5.35.3 Particular attention to children with disability, CALD children, children unable to live at home and LGBTIQ children
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s5-5.45.4 Particular attention to Aboriginal children and a culturally safe environment

Standard 6: Suitable and supported people – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022)

4 controls
Controls in the Standard 6: Suitable and supported people – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) domain of Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) — 4 controls
CodeTitle
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s6-6.16.1 Recruitment and screening emphasise child safety
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s6-6.26.2 Relevant staff and volunteers hold current Working with Children Checks or equivalent
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s6-6.36.3 Induction covers responsibilities, record keeping, information sharing and reporting
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s6-6.46.4 Supervision and people management focus on child safety

Standard 7: Child-focused complaints – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022)

5 controls
Controls in the Standard 7: Child-focused complaints – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) domain of Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) — 5 controls
CodeTitle
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s7-7.17.1 Accessible, child-focused complaint handling policy
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s7-7.27.2 Complaint processes understood by all and culturally safe
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s7-7.37.3 Take complaints seriously and respond promptly and thoroughly
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s7-7.47.4 Report complaints and concerns to authorities and cooperate with law enforcement
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s7-7.57.5 Meet reporting, privacy and employment law obligations

Standard 8: Education and training – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022)

4 controls
Controls in the Standard 8: Education and training – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) domain of Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) — 4 controls
CodeTitle
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s8-8.18.1 Train and support staff to implement the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s8-8.28.2 Training to recognise indicators of harm, including harm by other children
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s8-8.38.3 Training to respond effectively and support colleagues who disclose harm
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s8-8.48.4 Training on building culturally safe environments

Standard 9: Physical and online environments – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022)

4 controls
Controls in the Standard 9: Physical and online environments – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) domain of Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) — 4 controls
CodeTitle
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s9-9.19.1 Identify and mitigate online and physical risks without compromising children's rights
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s9-9.29.2 Use the online environment in line with the Code of Conduct and policy
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s9-9.39.3 Risk plans consider setting, activities and physical environment
victoria-child-safe-standards-2022::s9-9.49.4 Procurement policies protect children when contracting facilities and services

Maps to 3 other frameworks

53 total controls
Australia National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (2019)
49 source controls mapped|42 target controls covered
92%
Australia NDIS Worker Screening Rules 2018
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
2%
Queensland Working with Children Check Act 2000
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
2%

Coverage is not the same as your position

This page shows what Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) overlaps with in general. Where your organisation actually stands, against the standard you are going for and the certifications you already hold, is a different question. Same graph and the same recorded refutations, scoped to you rather than to a pair.

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What is Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) and who does it apply to?

Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) is a compliance framework from Australia: Victoria with 12 domains and 53 controls. Victoria's 11 Child Safe Standards and their minimum requirements for every organisation working with children, with the compliance, notice and officer due diligence duties of the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

What does Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) actually require?

Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) has 53 controls organised across 12 domains. The largest domains are Standard 2: Leadership, governance and culture – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) (6 controls), Standard 3: Children and young people empowered and heard – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) (6 controls), Standard 11: Policies and procedures – Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) (5 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.

If I already comply with another framework, how much of Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) do I already cover?

Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) maps to 3 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are Australia National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (2019) (92% coverage), Australia NDIS Worker Screening Rules 2018 (2% coverage), Queensland Working with Children Check Act 2000 (2% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.

How do I implement Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022)?

Start your Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about Victoria Child Safe Standards (2022) requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 53 controls and track your progress.

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