Child Safe Standards

The Child Safe Standards require organisations involving children to have policies, procedures and practices to keep them safe.

All children have the right to feel safe and be safe, but safety does not just happen. We all have an obligation to do the best we can to keep children safe from harm and abuse.

Victoria’s Child Safe Standards (the Standards) began in Victoria in January 2016. They are a set of mandatory requirements that ensure organisations have systems, policies, and practices in place to keep children safe from abuse and harm in organisational settings.

In each edition of the newsletter, we will outline a standard in more detail. For more information on the Child Safety Standards visit https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/

Standard 5

In complying with Child Safe Standard 5 an organisation must, at a minimum, ensure:

5.1 The organisation, including staff and volunteers, understands children and young people’s diverse circumstances, and provides support and responds to those who are vulnerable.

5.2 Children and young people have access to information, support and complaints processes in ways that are culturally safe, accessible and easy to understand.

5.3 The organisation pays particular attention to the needs of children and young people with disability, children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who are unable to live at home, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children and young people.

5.4 The organisation pays particular attention to the needs of Aboriginal children and young people and provides/promotes a culturally safe environment for them.

Important Dates

October - December 2025