Providers of social services in Victoria in scope of the new Social Services scheme must:
- register with the Social Services Regulator
- meet the Standards when providing services they are registered for.
About registration
Providers of social services in Victoria who are in scope of the new scheme must register with the Social Services Regulator.
There is no cost for registration.
There are different service provider groups for registration. The registration process and timeframes are different for each group.
The purpose of registration is to make sure social service providers can provide safe services before they offer those services. This should better protect service users and prevent harm.
Service provider groups for registration
- Group 1: providers registered with the Human Services Regulator – even for only one service or a part of their services.
- Group 2: providers not registered with the Human Services Regulator that meet all of the following:
- funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)
- operating prior to 1 July 2024
- in scope of the new scheme.
- Group 3: providers that did not need to register with the Human Services Regulator and are funded by either the Transport Accident Commission or WorkSafe.
- New registration: providers who do not fit into Group 1, 2 or 3.
Registration timeframes
| Social service category | Group | Registration period |
|---|---|---|
| Community-based child and family services registered under the Children Youth and Families Act 2005 | 1 | Automatically registered: 1 July 2024 |
| Secure welfare services and community services provided by DFFH under section 44 of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 | 1 | Automatically registered: 1 July 2024 |
| Supported residential services | 1 | Automatically registered: 1 July 2024 |
| Disability services registered under the Disability Act 2006 | 1 | Automatically registered: 1 July 2024 |
| Social services provided by DFFH other than secure welfare services (such as child protection, forensic disability and Family Safety Victoria’s activities) | 1 | 1 to 31 July 2024 |
| Family violence services funded by DFFH | 2 | 1 August to 30 September 2024 |
| Homelessness services funded by DFFH | 2 | 1 October to 31 December 2024 |
| Sexual assault services funded by DFFH | 2 | 1 January to 31 March 2025 |
| Disability services funded by Transport Accident Commission or Victorian Workcover Authority (WorkSafe) | 3 | 1 April to 30 June 2025 |
Any other social service operating before 1 July 2024 that is not registered and does not offer:
| - | 1 to 31 July 2024 |
| Any other social service commencing operations on or after 1 July 2024 | New | Post 1 July 2024 and prior to delivering services |
How to register
Each group has a different registration process.
New registration
These are providers who do not fit into Group 1, 2 or 3.
An example of a new registration is:
- A newly created provider or entity
- An existing provider who seeks to deliver a new class of service that it had not delivered prior to 1 July
New registration is a 3-step process:
- Step 1: Build your registration record by completing a form and adding details about the provider and services offered.
- Step 2: Show the provider is suitable to provide services, including information on key personnel and the premises. See suitability requirements fact sheet for more details:
- Step 3: Confirm you understand the requirement to meet the Social Services Standards.
To begin a new provider registration email registration@ssr.vic.gov.au.
Group 1
Group 1 service providers will be automatically registered with the Social Services Regulator.
Group 1 registration is a 3-step process:
- Step 1: Confirm and update basic details.
- Step 2: Complete information form and registration record.
- Step 3 (if relevant): Include services not automatically registered.
For more information on the registration process, see information sheets below.
Group 2
Group 2 registration is a 4-step process:
- Step 1: Check and confirm any existing information the Regulator has on file to make sure key operational details are up to date
- Step 2: Build your registration record by adding details about the provider and services offered.
- Step 3: Show the provider is suitable to provide services, including information on key personnel and the premises.
- Step 4: Confirm you understand the requirement to meet the Social Services Standards.
For more information on the registration process, see the information sheets below.
Group 3
Information will be provided closer to the registration period for Group 3. This will include an information sheet and online webinar for service providers later in 2024.
Group 3 providers can begin preparing for registration by:
- subscribing to get the latest updates, sector guidance, news and events details from the Regulator
- reviewing the registration requirements outlined in the Suitability requirements fact sheet below
- updating policies and procedures to meet the six Social Services Standards that are the foundation of the new scheme.
Help and more information
View the information sheets on the registration process for each group.
The suitability requirements fact sheet helps service providers to get ready for registration.
This resource is useful for service providers who will be providing information for the first time to the Social Services Regulator, to demonstrate they meet suitability requirements.
More information about the registration process and demonstrating suitability will be available shortly.
Updated