Early Childhood Regulator

• Lead Victoria's independent early childhood regulator to ensure child safety, quality and public confidence
• Provide strategic, evidence-based regulatory leadership and advice to Government
• Oversee a consistent, risk-based regulatory framework and the effective stewardship of VECRA

The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) is a newly established independent statutory authority created under the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority Act 2025. On 1 January 2026, VECRA assumed responsibility for regulating early childhood education and care services under the Education and Care Services National Law and children’s services under the Children’s Services Act 1996. VECRA is also the integrated regulator for Child Safe Standards in early childhood settings and maintains the Victorian early childhood worker register. 

VECRA has been established to strengthen independence, accountability and agility in early childhood regulation, supporting the safety, wellbeing and development of Victorian children and public confidence in the sector. 

The Early Childhood Regulator is the independent statutory head of VECRA, accountable to the Victorian Minister for Children.

The role provides strategic leadership across regulation, governance, risk, policy and operations, translating legislative intent into effective regulatory practice. The Early Childhood Regulator works closely with Government, the Department of Education and sector stakeholders, while maintaining independence, to oversee a contemporary, proportionate and evidence-based regulatory system for early childhood education and care.

You will bring demonstrated capability in regulatory leadership, governance, risk and system stewardship, ideally within public sector or social services environments. You are a senior executive leader with a strong record of setting strategic direction, leading complex organisations and operating credibly at Ministerial, executive and board levels.

You will be solutions-focused, authoritative and collaborative, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, manage risk and crisis situations, and lead organisational establishment and reform. Experience in early childhood education and care, child safety, regulation, compliance or quality improvement will be highly regarded, alongside strong people leadership and organisational change capability.

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government agencies reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. We encourage applications from women, people of all ages, First Nations people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living in rural and regional Victoria. Diversity of skills and expertise, and the perspectives and lived experiences of people from different background, contribute to good governance on boards and councils. To support participation, we will provide adjustments to the recruitment process upon request.

You do not have to disclose any personal information if you do not want to, but it can help us understand how we can support you through the recruitment process and beyond. We invite you to tell us if you identify as First Nations, a person with disability, from a culturally or linguistically diverse background, LGBTIQA+ or a younger person, aged 34 years old or less. If you identify as any of these, we would welcome the opportunity to contact you and discuss how we can support you through the recruitment process. Sharing this information will help you access support should you need it and will also help us to better understand the impact of our

work.

Hazel acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work and pays respect to Elders past and present. Hazel is committed to equal opportunity and to championing diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility and accessibility in all executive appointments. If you require any adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know so we can support you.