Recent coverage by the ABC implied that the Commission for Children and Young People advised an organisation that it was exempt from the Working with Children Check. This is incorrect.
Media statement
Wednesday 13 May 2026
Until 23 February 2026, the Commission for Children and Young People held legislated powers with regard to child safety in organisations under the Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme. On that date the Commission’s powers were transferred to the Social Services Regulator.
For matters before 23 February 2026, the Commission’s role was to consider relevant child safety concerns, determine whether organisations working with children were within the scope of the Child Safe Standards or the Reportable Conduct Scheme, and to take appropriate action as prescribed in legislation.
The Commission held no powers to act regarding organisations that were not in scope.
The Commission’s role never included administering, or granting exemptions from, the requirements of the Working with Children Check.
Where the Commission is made aware of individuals who may pose harm to children, we always refer to the appropriate child safe agencies, including Victoria Police, to facilitate further action in accordance with their legislation and powers.
This statement is general and relates to our former broad administration of the Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme. Legislative restrictions prevent the Commission from commenting on individual matters.
Further media inquiries should be directed to the Social Services Regulator, which is the current regulator of the Child Safe Standards, the Reportable Conduct Scheme, and the Working with Children Check.
The above statement was provided to the ABC following this report on Monday 11 May 2026.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-11/convicted-sex-offender-exempt-wwcc-melbourne/106615632
The ABC received the statement before deadline for this follow-up report on Wednesday 13 May 2026.