Child safety is not just a compliance requirement—it’s a moral and legal responsibility.
As Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and schools delivering VET programs to students under 18, the expectations on how we protect children and young people have changed dramatically. And if your RTO hasn’t updated its policies, training, and delivery practices in line with these changes, you’re already out of step with current obligations—and potentially at risk.
In my work auditing and consulting with training providers across Victoria, I’ve seen a pattern: many RTOs think they’re covered because they “have a policy.” But child safety isn’t about having a document. It’s about creating an environment where children are genuinely safe, heard, empowered, and protected.
What’s Changed in the Child Safe Standards?
In July 2022, Victoria introduced new Child Safe Standards that increased the number of standards from 7 to 11, bringing them into closer alignment with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Here’s what’s different now:
A Greater Focus on:
- Cultural safety for Aboriginal children and young people
- Student empowerment and participation in decision-making
- Effective complaints and reporting systems
- Staff training and ongoing education on child safety
- Governance and leadership accountability
These aren’t just tweaks—they represent a significant shift toward proactive prevention, not just response. If you’re an RTO that trains school-age learners or operates on school sites, these new standards apply to you right now.
What It Means for RTOs and VETDSS Providers
Many RTOs mistakenly believe the Child Safe Standards don’t apply to them—particularly if they deliver training off-site or through third parties. But if you work with students under 18 in any context, your organisation has obligations under the law.
This includes:
- School-based programs (VETDSS)
- Workplace training or structured workplace learning
- On-campus programs involving minors
- Third-party delivery or auspice arrangements involving students under 18
If you deliver training to young people, your RTO must ensure:
- All trainers and assessors are suitable and trained in child safety
- Your policies and procedures are current and visible
- You have risk management strategies tailored to child safety
- There are clear, child-friendly ways for students to raise concerns
And most importantly, that these measures are not theoretical—they must be understood, used, and visible in practice.
Where Most RTOs Fall Short
Even well-meaning providers often make the same critical mistakes:
- Assuming the school takes care of child safety: If your trainers are on-site at a school, you still have a duty of care. You can’t outsource responsibility for your staff’s conduct, training, or awareness.
- Outdated or templated policies: Many RTOs have a Child Safe policy—but it’s generic, hasn’t been reviewed in years, or isn’t aligned to the updated standards. Worse, staff often haven’t read it.
- No staff training or induction: Child Safe obligations must be embedded in induction processes and regularly refreshed. A one-off email won’t cut it.
- No engagement with young people: The standards now require that children and young people are involved in shaping their own safety. This means seeking feedback, promoting student voice, and ensuring they know how to make a complaint in a safe, supported way.
5 Things You Can Do Now
If you’re unsure where your RTO stands on child safety, start with these five steps:
1. Update Your Child Safe Policy
Make sure it aligns with the 11 Victorian Standards, includes your commitment to cultural safety, outlines complaints processes, and details how your organisation responds to risk.
2. Train Your Trainers (and All Staff)
Every person working with students under 18 must be trained on their obligations, your reporting processes, and how to recognise signs of abuse or neglect. Don’t assume your staff know—make it part of their annual PD.
3. Conduct a Risk Assessment
Each training delivery environment should have its own child safety risk assessment. That includes schools, workplaces, online platforms, and even excursions or VET tasters.
4. Engage Students in Safety
Create accessible information for students explaining their rights and where they can go for help. Posters, visual aids, online messages, or briefings at the start of training can go a long way.
5. Review Your Complaints Process
Young people need to be able to raise concerns safely and know they’ll be taken seriously. Ensure your complaints system is confidential, accessible, and followed through.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about regulatory compliance.
It’s about:
- Creating safe spaces for students to learn
- Upholding your duty of care
- Maintaining community and parent trust
- Protecting the integrity of your RTO or school-based program
From a business perspective, failing to meet your child safety obligations can result in reputational damage, regulatory action, and in some cases, legal consequences. But more importantly, it can lead to young people being harmed.
As providers of education and training, we are entrusted with the care of young people during a formative period in their lives. That responsibility is not optional—it’s foundational.
Quick Snapshot: The 11 New Child Safe Standards (Victoria)
- Culturally safe environments
- Child safety embedded in leadership and governance
- Empowerment and participation of children
- Family and community involvement
- Equity and diversity
- Processes to respond to complaints and concerns
- Staff and volunteer suitability
- Child-focused complaints processes
- Child safety knowledge, skills, and awareness
- Implementation of risk management
- Review and continuous improvement of child safety
These apply in full to all Victorian-based RTOs and schools that engage with minors. The National Principles are similar but nationally focused.
Don’t Wait for an Incident
If you’re waiting for the regulator to knock on your door before acting on child safety, you’ve missed the point.
Compliance with Child Safe Standards isn’t about avoiding penalties—it’s about creating an environment where students feel safe, respected, and heard.
If you’re unsure whether your RTO is meeting expectations, start with a review. Engage your staff. Update your training. Build systems that are lived, not just listed in a handbook.
You don’t need to do it alone—but you do need to do it now.
