These regulations amend Schedule 1 of the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 (the Act). Section 33 of the Act provides that the Governor-General may, by Order in Council, make regulations amending Schedule 1 of the Act. The provisions of these regulations come into force on 1 May 2018, with the exception of an amendment to item (27A) of Schedule 1 of the Act.

Schedule 1 of the Act sets out the services that are included as regulated services under the Act. The purpose of the amendments to Schedule 1 is to expand several of the items included as regulated services, and, therefore, expand the categories of workers to whom obligations under the Act apply. The amendments in these regulations amend items of Schedule 1 relating to schools, early childhood services, academies, and alternative education providers so that each item includes all services provided, rather than just education services.

The regulations also amend item (27A) of Schedule 1 of the Act, which includes, as a regulated service, education services provided by communities of online learning. Item (27A) of Schedule 1 was inserted by section 161(3) and Schedule 3 of the Education (Update) Amendment Act 2017, but is not yet in force. It will come into force on 31 December 2019, or on an earlier date appointed by the Governor-General by Order in Council. The amendment to item (27A) of Schedule 1 of the Act will come into force on the day after that item comes into force.