19-07-2025
Attorney-General prioritising national Working With Children Check system after horrific alleged childcare crimes
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has promised action to unify child safety checks across Australia, following a series of shocking abuse cases in childcare centres.
Ms Rowland told Sky News Sunday Agenda that establishing a national Working With Children Check system will be the top priority at the upcoming Standing Council of Attorneys-General meeting.
'We've got a pilot that's being established now… what is essential here is twofold,' Ms Rowland said.
'We've got different states and territories with their own schemes for Working With Children Checks and reportable conduct. They do not talk to other states…
'This was actually a recommendation coming out of a 2015 series of responses on the Royal Commission into child sexual abuse.
'We're now in 2025. What is important here is that we have action,' she said.
The national reform aims to create near real-time reporting, ensure consistent access to data, and bring uniformity across jurisdictions to improve child safety.
Ms Rowland acknowledged the reforms will not solve all the challenges in the system but said they will be a significant step forward.
The push comes amid growing public concern after disturbing allegations of child sexual abuse in childcare centres.
Calls to ban men from working in childcare have also emerged but Education Minister Jason Clare has dismissed such measures.
Mr Clare told reporters, 'Just cutting blokes out altogether is not going to be the solution. In none of the reports do they recommend (banning men)'.
He has instructed his department to draft legislation allowing the government to withhold public funding from childcare centres that fail to meet safety standards.
Meanwhile, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has fast-tracked reforms including a ban on personal devices in childcare centres from September 26.
She has also flagged the possible installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to boost child safety.
Ms Rowland welcomed the momentum for change. '
We need to be honest. This is not going to resolve everything… but it will be a significant step forward,' she said.
