This announcement comes amid a crisis in Victoria's childcare sector, where a worker was charged with 70 offences, including child rape, after being employed at multiple daycare centres over the past eight years.

Janise Mitchell from the Australian Childhood Foundation has pointed out the inadequacy of current working with children checks, advocating for mandatory training as part of the application process.

The rapid expansion of the childcare sector has led to severe understaffing, which compromises safety and oversight, creating an environment where abuse could occur more easily.

In response to rising safety breaches at childcare centres, particularly following serious allegations of sexual abuse, the New South Wales government has announced the establishment of an independent early childhood regulator.

A 2022 review by the Victorian Ombudsman highlighted serious flaws in the working with children check system, noting that it only considers criminal convictions while ignoring police intelligence and complaints related to child safety.

Experts have raised concerns about the lack of transparency regarding allegations or investigations into childcare centres, which undermines accountability in the sector.

To enhance safety, experts are advocating for a licensing scheme for childcare educators that would allow better tracking of their movements and ensure ongoing training in child safety.

National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds has emphasized the need for stronger independent oversight, citing significant gaps in monitoring and infrequent visits by current regulators.

Despite recommendations from the 2015 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse for a national system for working with children checks, the system remains inconsistent across states nearly a decade later.

The Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has recommended bi-annual training for childcare educators and a risk-based approach to handling complaints.

In light of the growing scandal, the Victorian government has announced reviews and reforms in the childcare sector, including a mobile phone ban at childcare centres.

Deb Tsorbaris, CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, has called for mandatory on-site child safety officers to ensure thorough recruitment processes and ongoing safety training in childcare settings.