The revelation that thousands of Working With Children Check (WWCC) holders in Victoria are not subjected to comprehensive criminal record checks exposes a serious threat to child safety.
This disclosure comes just days after the Allan government passed legislation claiming to strengthen the WWCC framework and protect children, yet the reality is stark: migrant workers’ overseas criminal records remain unchecked, leaving critical gaps in the system.
The problem is both deep and multifaceted. First, early childhood workers from overseas rely solely on self-declared criminal histories, which are rarely verified. Second, severe workforce shortages have prompted the government to offer up to $9,000 in incentives and relocation support to overseas educators, without any mechanism to ensure they are free from serious criminal convictions in their home countries.
The statistics are alarming. Roughly one-third of the state’s early childhood workforce is born overseas, and with a total workforce exceeding 50,000, any gap in background checks could allow dangerous individuals to work closely with children. These risks are not theoretical; each loophole could be exploited by potential offenders.
History has demonstrated the consequences of such oversights. Reports such as the 2022 review by former Ombudsman Deborah Glass highlighted the inadequacy of the existing system and the real danger posed to children. A more recent review by former South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill and bureaucrat Pamela White reached similar conclusions, underscoring Victoria’s inability to fully vet workers with international backgrounds.
Even the new legislation leaves vulnerabilities. Alleged sexual offenders can maintain their WWCC clearance while investigations are ongoing, and immediate license revocation relies on non-binding processes. Government officials argue that non-citizens must meet “good character” requirements for work visas, but this relies on applicants’ honesty rather than independent verification.
Child safety is not a political issue—it is a moral imperative. Parents must trust that educators and carers have been rigorously screened. Victoria’s government must implement international verification systems, strict monitoring of suspects, and expedited license revocations before a preventable tragedy occurs. Any delay could come at a terrible cost.
