Childcare Abuse Reports Surge 32% in Victoria

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Reports of violence and neglect in Victorian childcare centres have sharply increased, rising 32% in the past financial year.

The Victorian Commission for Children and Young People received 705 notifications of reportable allegations in 2024–25, up from 534 the previous year. These included 967 separate allegations — 627 of physical violence, 152 of neglect, 78 of sexual misconduct, and 27 of sexual offences.

Across all sectors, the commission handled a record 2,232 notifications, marking an 18% rise overall. Alarmingly, over half of sexual offence allegations (51%) were proven true, up from just 15% in 2018–19.

The rise comes amid heightened scrutiny of the childcare system, following the charging of a Victorian childcare worker with more than 70 offences involving eight children. A government review later called for a “fundamental reset” of the system to improve child safety.

Education Minister Ben Carroll has introduced legislation to create a new early childhood regulatory authority, but the government has yet to meet its deadline to implement all safety recommendations.

The commission warned that the growing number of reports has stretched its limited resources, making it harder to monitor all cases effectively.

Meanwhile, the report also flagged rising assaults and safety incidents in youth justice centres — with youth-on-youth assaults up 114% and overall “poor quality of care” incidents jumping 275%, the highest in four years.

Commissioner Meena Singh criticised short-term political responses, urging a stronger, long-term focus on keeping children safe.

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