Changes to the Victorian Working with Children Check: a short introduction

From the 19th October 2026, Victoria is strengthening the Working with Children (WWC) Check to provide greater safeguards for children and to help organisations make safer decisions about the people they engage in paid or voluntary child-related work. These changes have occurred after the ‘Rapid Child Safety Review’ in 2025.

The Social Services regulator understands these changes mean organisations need time to create new processes and systems and the Victorian District Office and Professional Standards will work together to support congregations through the changes.

Updates include the introduction of WWC Connect, mandatory online child safety training, and new notification requirements for organisations.

Please keep an eye out for follow-up communications with practical, step-by-step guidance in the next E-news.

You can find additional information at https://www.vic.gov.au/changes-working-children-check-from-july-2026#frequently-asked-questions-about-the-changes-to-wwc-check-that-came-into-effect-in-july-2026

If you have any questions, please contact the Safe Church Helpdesk on

Phone: 1800 418 588,

Email: safechurch@lca.org.au