Melbourne Childcare Worker Faces 156 Charges Amidst Calls for Industry Reform
Published 4 December 2025
Highlights
- Joshua Dale Brown, a former Melbourne childcare worker, faces 156 charges, including child rape and abuse, involving 12 victims across multiple centres.
- The latest charges involve four new victims, with offences occurring between 2019 and February 2023 at three centres.
- Authorities have urged testing for infectious diseases for 2,000 children, but no further testing is currently recommended.
- The case has prompted legislative reforms in Australia, including stricter safety regulations and a potential national register for childcare workers.
- G8 Education, a major childcare operator, is installing CCTV and offering "intimate care waivers" to enhance safety measures.
A former childcare worker in Melbourne, Joshua Dale Brown, has been charged with a total of 156 offences, including multiple counts of child rape and abuse, following allegations of misconduct at several childcare centres. Brown, 27, was initially arrested in May, accused of abusing eight children aged between five months and two years. Recent developments have added 83 new charges, involving four additional victims, bringing the total number of alleged victims to 12.
Expanding Allegations and Legal Proceedings
The new charges against Brown include six counts of child rape, attempted child rape, and the production and distribution of child abuse material. These offences reportedly took place between 2019 and February 2023 at three childcare centres: Nino Early Learning Adventures in Point Cook, Only About Children in Williamstown, and Aussie Kindies Early Learning Centre in Keilor. Brown remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court in February next year.
Health and Safety Concerns
In response to the allegations, authorities recommended infectious disease testing for approximately 2,000 children across 20 centres where Brown had worked. However, Victoria police have confirmed that no further testing is necessary at this time. The case has sparked widespread concern among parents and prompted the Victorian government to introduce new safety regulations aimed at protecting children in childcare settings.
Legislative and Industry Reforms
The Australian government has responded to the case by enhancing its regulatory framework for the childcare industry. This includes granting itself greater powers to withdraw funding from non-compliant providers and passing new legislation to tighten safety checks for childcare workers. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan emphasized the importance of restoring trust in the childcare system, stating, "The safety of children is my highest priority."
Industry Response and Future Measures
G8 Education, one of Australia's largest private childcare operators, has taken proactive steps by installing CCTV in its centres and offering "intimate care waivers" to allow parents to choose who performs sensitive duties. Experts argue that further reforms, such as establishing a national register for childcare workers, are necessary to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of children.
What this might mean
The unfolding case against Joshua Dale Brown could lead to significant changes in Australia's childcare industry. Legal proceedings will likely continue to draw public attention, potentially influencing further legislative action. The introduction of a national register for childcare workers could become a pivotal measure in preventing similar cases in the future. As the industry grapples with restoring trust, ongoing reforms and increased scrutiny may reshape childcare safety standards across the country.
