- Date:
- 1 July 2022
Minimum standards
Registered training organisations (RTOs) that deliver training to anyone under 18 years of age must comply with the Child Safe Standards. For RTOs registered with the VRQA this is detailed in the VRQA guidelines and regulated through compliance audits and complaints investigations.
What do RTOs have to do?
RTOs registered with VRQA must confirm in writing if they deliver, or intend to deliver, services to anyone under 18 years of age.
If they do, they must have child safe strategies, policies, and practices.
They must create and maintain a child safe culture, and:
- follow the VRQA guidelines
- have clear policies and procedures, supported by governance and operational arrangements, that address each Standard
- ensure agreements with third-party service providers require them to comply with the Standards.
Ready to get started?
This checklist helps RTOs comply:
Guidance and evidence requirements for each Standard is also available.
1. Culturally safe environments
Respecting and valuing Aboriginal experiences and identities.
2. Child safety and wellbeing
Building a strong organisational child safe culture.
3. Child and student empowerment
Giving children and students a voice to speak up when something isn’t right.
4. Family engagement
Keeping families and communities informed and involved in promoting child safety.
5. Diversity and equity
Supporting children from different backgrounds, characteristics or beliefs.
6. Suitable staff and volunteers
People working with children are suitable and supported to understand child safety and wellbeing.
7. Complaints processes
Ensure that processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
8. Child safety knowledge, skills and awareness
Building a child safe culture through training and information.
9. Child safety in physical and online environments
Helping children have safer and more positive experiences online and in person.
10. Implementation of child safety practices
Checking regularly that policies and procedures are up to date.
11. Documentation of child safety practices
Putting all the requirements of the Standards into action.
Updated