A Victorian man accused of sexual offenses against young girls at a childcare center claims he was unaware of a ban preventing him from working in the industry. The man, identified only as Peter for legal reasons, argues that his case highlights significant flaws in the regulatory system.

Peter has worked at nine childcare centers in the Ballarat region, including five operated by Goodstart. He was banned by the Victorian Education Department in December 2024, but he maintained a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) until August 2025. Although he was suspended with pay during this period, he could have potentially worked with children.

Peter is the first childcare worker to publicly address allegations of child sexual offenses since the sector came under scrutiny. He provided documentation that sheds light on the regulatory failures meant to protect children.

Documents from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal indicate that Peter faces accusations of sexual misconduct and physical violence under the state's Reportable Conduct scheme. The Victorian Education Department has identified "highly concerning allegations" related to child grooming behaviors and sexual abuse involving eight girls aged between 12 months and four years, as well as one primary school-aged girl. These incidents reportedly occurred at a Goodstart center in Ballarat between 2023 and 2024.

In an interview, Peter admitted to one allegation of sexual misconduct. Goodstart is currently under investigation for allegedly failing to report some of the accusations against him for nearly a year. During the time between the first complaint and his ban, Peter was accused of sexually abusing two girls while changing their diapers.

A summary from the Victorian Children and Young People's Commissioner includes disturbing disclosures from children under Peter's care. One child reportedly said, "You sometimes put your doodle on me," while another claimed he put his finger in her "wee bum" during a diaper change. Other allegations include inappropriate physical interactions, such as kissing a child on the lips and lying down with children.

Despite the serious nature of the allegations, they did not lead to criminal charges, as a police investigation found insufficient evidence. Peter stated, "They found nothing to implicate that I had done these things. If I had, I would have been charged. I would have been jailed and I would have expected that, had I done something."

Some of Peter's former colleagues reported that when complaints about his behavior arose, the company advised him to "tone down" his physical interactions with children. Peter acknowledged one incident where he hugged a primary school-aged girl against her consent, stating, "Yes, that one was a misunderstanding on my part."

In response to the allegations, Goodstart has installed CCTV cameras in all its Ballarat centers. Peter remarked, "In an ironic twist, CCTV would probably absolve me of any of this sort of stuff, 'cause I know I didn't do it."

Experts note that it is rare for criminal charges to be filed in cases involving the sexual abuse of very young children. A criminologist from the University of New South Wales explained that without clear medical or photographic evidence, such cases often do not proceed.

Despite being banned from working in education in December 2024, Peter did not receive the notification until four months later due to an error in the email address used by the Education Department. The department has since apologized for the mistake. Goodstart stated it was unaware of Peter's ban.

Legal representatives are preparing to seek compensation for families affected by the allegations and are considering a class action against Goodstart. Many families have come forward with similar allegations against childcare workers across the state.

One father, who first reported Peter's behavior, expressed frustration that police had not yet contacted him for an interview. He called for an inquiry into the situation, stating, "I just feel like you've been let down by the system and failed, to be honest."

Parents of children who attended the Goodstart center where Peter worked expressed their anger and disappointment over the lack of communication regarding the allegations. Goodstart has stated it contacted current and former families progressively, prioritizing those directly affected.

Peter's WWCC was permanently revoked last week after a temporary suspension in August. He is appealing the decision and the Education Department's ban, although he expressed uncertainty about returning to work with children. "I don't think I could now," he said. "I'd be second guessing every decision I ever made."

Goodstart has appointed an external investigator to look into the case and has refrained from further comment.