Carers may have been notified by their Agencies about new foster carer registration arrangements.

On 1 July 2024, along with commencement of the Social Services Regulator, a new Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme  (WCES) also commenced which applies to all foster carers. The WCES replaces the previous Victorian Carer Register which listed all accredited carers.

The WCES now requires that only carers who are excluded from caring must be registered.

Workers and carers covered by the WCES include foster carers and workers or carers providing services to children in residential out-of-home care services. Kinship carers and permanent carers are not covered by the WCES.

The Social Services Regulator will maintain a database for the WCES which will include all carers who were disqualified from being listed on the Victorian Carer Register before 1 July 2024.

Service providers are responsible for requesting database checks for all prospective workers and carers. Workers and carers who are under investigation or have been excluded under the WCES must disclose this information to their employers.

Further information about the WCES can be found at https://www.vic.gov.au/worker-and-carer-exclusion-scheme