Certain organisations (e.g., churches, schools, Scouts groups) will be legally liable for child abuse carried out by individuals in roles akin to employees, even if they were not formally employed by the organisation.

Victoria’s law will be amended to broaden the definition of “employee” to include individuals who perform activities for the organisation with its authority or benefit—such as volunteers, mentors, or clergy.

Organisations that currently cannot be sued—like unincorporated groups—must nominate a legal entity with sufficient assets, so victims can pursue civil claims.

It will apply retrospectively, meaning it covers abuse that occurred before, on, or after it begins, allowing survivors of historical abuse to initiate or continue legal claims