Victoria Police is investigating a number of alleged sexual assaults linked to employee Joshua Brown who worked at a number of childcare centres across Melbourne.
The alleged offender has been arrested and charged by police and is in custody.
Key information, health advice, and support
The Department of Health advises there is no need for further precautionary testing for the potential risk of infectious diseases as a result of the additional charges.
The Victorian Government has a dedicated webpage with health information and resources for impacted families.
The vic.gov.au webpage includes detailed information about the:
- health advice
- support for impacted families and communities
- support across the state
- additional information.
Investigation into alleged sexual assaults at Melbourne childcare centres
On 4 December 2025, Victoria Police issued a further 83 charges against 27-year-old Point Cook man Joshua Brown.
These charges relate to 12 victims as well as some additional separate matters. The families of all 12 victims have been notified and have been provided with all available support services.
In total, Brown has been charged with 156 offences as part of the investigation into alleged sexual assaults at Melbourne childcare centres.
Brown has remained in custody since 12 May.
Learn more about the further charges laid as part of investigation.
Affected childcare centres
There are 23 childcare centres where it is known Brown worked and this has not changed since 16 July.
The affected childcare sites and dates are listed below. Please check vic.gov.au for further information.
Affected childcare centre locations | Dates offender worked at location |
| Adventurers Education – Wyndham Vale |
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| Aussie Kindies Early Learning – Keilor |
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| Aussie Kindies Early Learning – Sunbury |
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| Creative Garden – Point Cook |
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| Explorers Early Learning – Point Cook |
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| Greenwood – Point Cook |
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| Kids Academy – Kensington |
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| Kids Academy – Melton |
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| Kids Academy Waratah Estate – Mickleham |
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| Little Blossoms Child Care Centre – Werribee |
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| Leopold World of Learning – Leopold |
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| Milestones Early Learning – Braybrook |
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| Milestones Early Learning – Bundoora |
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| Milestones Early Learning – Greensborough |
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| Milestones Early Learning – Hoppers Crossing |
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| Milestones Early Learning – Tarneit |
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| Milestones Early Learning – Werribee |
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| Nido Early Learning School – Werribee |
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| Nino Early Learning Adventures – Point Cook |
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| Only About Children – Williamstown |
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| Papilio Early Learning – Essendon |
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| Point Cook World of Learning – Point Cook |
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| Wallaby Childcare Centre – Sanctuary Lakes |
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Other services | Dates offender worked at location |
| D.O.T.S Occupational Therapy for Children – Footscray |
|
How to report additional information
Any families who may have additional information they wish to provide police are urged to contact Crime Stoppers in the first instance and this will be passed on directly to investigators.
You can contact Crime Stoppers on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000.
Update on 4 December 2025: Further charges laid as part of investigation into alleged sexual assaults at Melbourne childcare centres
On 4 December 2025, detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad issued a further 83 charges against 27-year-old Point Cook man Joshua Brown as part of their investigation into alleged sexual assaults at Melbourne childcare centres.
Importantly, Victoria Police has been in close liaison with the Department of Health and the Chief Health Officer has advised no children will require further testing as testing has previously been recommended for the childcare centres involved.
There have been no new childcare centres identified where Brown had previously worked.
There are 23 childcare centres where it is known Brown worked and this has not changed since 16 July.
The latest charges relate to an additional four victims as well as further charges laid in relation to the initial eight victims and some additional matters.
Those additional four victims were placed at the following three childcare centres:
- Nino Early Learning Adventures in Point Cook on 26 March, 2019
- Only About Children in Williamstown on 1 December, 2020 and 22 February, 2021
- Aussie Kindies Early Learning Centre in Keilor between 3 and 11 February, 2025
The families of the four victims have been notified and have been provided with all available support services.
On 4 December 2025, Brown was charged with the following additional offences:
- Six counts of penetration of a child under 12
- Eight counts of produce child abuse material (CAM) for use through a carriage service
- Twenty-three counts of use a carriage service to transmit CAM
- Seven counts of use a carriage service to solicit CAM
- Seven counts of use carriage service to cause CAM to be transmitted to self
- Two counts of sexual activity in the presence of a child under 16
- Eight counts of sexual assault of a child under 16
- Two counts of attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12
- Two counts of recklessly cause injury
- Two counts of common law assault
- Twelve counts of bestiality
- Reckless conduct endangering serious injury
- Encouraging a child under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity
- Two counts of possess drug of dependence.
The bestiality offences are part of a separate investigation unrelated to any childcare centres.
In total, Brown has now been charged with 156 offences.
Brown has remained in custody since 12 May.
He will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 10, February 2026.
Since his arrest, a comprehensive investigation has been led by detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad and this remains an ongoing, active investigation.
A dedicated website has been established by the Victorian government with a full list of employment locations and dates.
It has been established that the man worked at 23 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025 and the above website has a full up to date list of impacted centres, including the date range the man was employed at each centre.
This list has not changed since 16 July.
Detectives are continuing to work with a range of other agencies including the Department of Health, Commission for Children and Young People, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Gatehouse, Department of Education, and the Royal Children’s Hospital to ensure the right support services are in place and that families are given as much information as possible about the process.
All of the childcare providers are continuing to cooperate fully with police on this matter.
Police are urging anyone with further information about the matter to contact Crime Stoppers on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000.
Other support services
Sexual offences and child abuse support and resources
Different services and support information available for victims of for sexual offences (or sex crimes) and child abuse.
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