Possible delay to start date for the new Victorian social services regulatory scheme
19 July 2022
The Victorian Government has introduced a bill to Parliament proposing amendments to delay the start of the Social Services regulatory scheme for 12 months, until 1 July 2024.
If delayed, when would the bill come into effect?
If the proposed Residential Tenancies, Housing and Social Services Regulation Amendment (Administration and Other Matters) Bill 2022 is passed by Parliament, all social services would come into the scope of the new regulatory scheme at the same time, on 1 July 2024.
The bill is subject to parliamentary processes, which involves consideration by both houses of the Victorian Parliament. The outcome of Parliament’s deliberations on the proposed amendment is unlikely to be known until late August - September 2022.
What is the Victorian social services regulatory scheme?
The Social services Regulation Act 2021 (Vic) established a new Social Services Regulator replacing the Human Services Regulator. The Act has the purpose of streamlining the regulation of social services and providing greater enforcement powers.
The Victorian Government established a taskforce to support and guide the implementation of the new Social Services regulatory framework, including Sue Woodward AM, Chief Adviser of Not-for-profit Law, and others across the sector. The taskforce has been meeting since April 2022.
Communique from the Social Services Regulation Taskforce - June 2022
Update 6 September 2022
The Victorian Parliament passed the Residential Tenancies, Housing and Social Services Regulation Amendment (Administration and Other Matters) Bill 2022 on 6 September 2022, delaying the start of the social services regulatory scheme. All social services will now come under the new regulatory scheme on 1 July 2024.
Update 18 October 2022
Download the official communique from the August meeting of the Victorian Social Services Regulation Taskforce. The meeting addressed:
- The timing of the Social Services Regulatory Scheme
- The Social Services Regulatory Scheme mapped with other relevant regulatory schemes, and
- The future of the Quality and Safety Safeguarding system and accreditation
