CHILD SAFETY

Child Safety in Football

Guidance for football clubs in Victoria, relating to the 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards as of 1 July 2022.

Football Victoria is committed to supporting affiliated clubs to create safe and inclusive environments for all children in football across Victoria.

Football is a sport built on cooperation between clubs and volunteers. The majority of time that trust is well placed, however unfortunately there may be occasions where an incident arises, and in such circumstances it is important for clubs to have the right processes in place.

Recent government inquiries into child safety in Australia have prompted changes to the law to provide children with greater protections.

As of 1 January 2017, in Victoria the Child Wellbeing and Safety Amendment Act 2015 requires sports clubs to meet “Child Safe Standards” (The Standards). The Standards are aimed at helping clubs to protect children from abuse.

A number of resources have been developed with independent advice to assist affiliated clubs to understand and meet their obligations.

Child Protection and Football - Guidelines for Clubs

Child Safety Policy & Code of Conduct - Template for Clubs

FV Child Safe Policy

FV Child Safety Officer Position Description

These resources are available for clubs to use and adopt, and are to be used in conjunction with existing policies and guidance from Football Victoria.

Working With Children Reform

The Social Services Regulator (SSR) is an independent statutory authority that protects the rights of children and people who use social services in Victoria. The Working with Children reform commenced on 19 October 2026.

The webinar link below covers the changes to the Working with Children Check scheme, specifically WWC Connect and mandatory online Working with Children Safety Training.

Watch the Changes to the Working With Children Webinar

Football Victoria has developed a 'How to use WWC Connect Guide' to assist club administrators with a step-by-step process.

View the FV How to use WWC Connect Guide

All clubs (organisations) must verify a worker or volunteer involved in child related roles via the WWC checker.

Access the WWC Checker

Clubs must also register their organisation through Services Victoria WWC Connect.

Access Services Victoria WWC Connect

Verification and notification requirements

Organisations must verify that the workers and volunteers they engage hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance.
The SSR will have accurate current and historical information about workers’ and volunteers’ movements between organisations when required.
These requirements help ensure organisations engage only people with a valid WWCC.

Mandatory child safety training

All new and renewing applicants must complete mandatory child safety training before receiving a WWCC clearance.
The training builds foundational child safety knowledge and equips applicants to recognise abuse and protect children.

For more information and detail on the Working With Children reform, you can visit the Victorian Government Website.