Child safety in sport and community

Australian, state and territory governments endorsed the National Principles in February 2019. They reflect the child safe standards recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and they are designed to apply to all organisations that engage with children and young people, whatever their size.

Victoria's 11 Child Safe Standards commenced on 1 July 2022. Among other things they cover leadership and governance, involving families and communities, making sure people working with children are suitable and supported, child-focused complaints processes, ongoing education and training, and safe physical and online environments.

Since February 2026 the Social Services Regulator has regulated the Standards for sport clubs and other organisations that do not have a sector-specific regulator. It took over from the Commission for Children and Young People.

For sport, Sport Integrity Australia publishes national safeguarding policies, resources and education for sporting organisations.

Sport Integrity Australia says the safety of children and young people must be embedded in every sporting organisation's culture and practised at all levels of the sport, and that everyone delivering sport has legal, ethical and governance responsibilities for child safety.

In Victoria, Child Safe Standard 2 requires child safety and wellbeing to be embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture, and organisations covered by the Standards must comply with all of them at all times.

If a child is in immediate danger, or you think a crime has been committed, call Triple Zero (000). Otherwise, follow your club's reporting process. If you are worried a club is not meeting the Standards and it does not respond, you can tell the Social Services Regulator.

The Victorian Government says you qualify for a Check if all five of these are true: you are an adult volunteer, paid or self-employed worker with children under 18; the work is in one of the listed fields, which include sporting clubs and associations that run activities for children, and coaching or tuition for children; the work usually involves direct contact with children; that contact is part of your duties; and you are not exempt.

Exemptions include people under 18, and parents volunteering in the same activity their child takes part in. A club can still require a Check even when the law does not.

From Monday 19 October 2026, anyone applying for or renewing a Working with Children Clearance must complete the new mandatory Working with Children Child Safety Training as part of the application. The Victorian Government says the training is online, self-paced and takes about 45 minutes, and every applicant must complete it, even if they have done other child safety training.

This is general information, not legal advice. Use the official "Do I need a Check?" page to confirm your own situation. Other states and territories run their own schemes.