Joshua Brown expected to admit to substantial portion of alleged childcare offences, court hears

Content warning: This article contains references to alleged child sexual abuse offences and may be distressing for some readers.

A former Melbourne childcare worker accused of multiple offences involving young children is expected to admit to a substantial portion of the alleged conduct, a court has heard, as proceedings continue in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

Joshua Brown, 27, appeared via video link on Thursday, where he formally entered not guilty pleas to 153 charges. However, his barrister told the court the plea was effectively a “holding plea” while legal discussions continue regarding how portions of the alleged conduct should ultimately be characterised before a higher court.

According to court reporting, Brown’s defence counsel told the court his client accepted “quite a significant amount” of the alleged offending, however discussions with prosecutors remained ongoing.

The prosecution advised the court that three additional charges had recently been filed while six charges were withdrawn, bringing the total number of charges to 153.

The allegations form part of a major Victoria Police investigation linked to multiple early childhood education and care services across Melbourne. Authorities have previously confirmed Brown worked across 23 childcare services between January 2017 and May 2025 while holding a valid Working With Children Check.

The charges are reported to relate to 12 alleged child victims connected to four childcare centres across Melbourne.

Brown was initially charged in 2025 following allegations involving eight children connected to Creative Garden Early Learning in Point Cook. Victoria Police later laid a further 83 charges after identifying an additional four alleged victims linked to services in Point Cook, Williamstown and Keilor.

The alleged offences include charges relating to sexual penetration of a child, attempted penetration, sexual assault of a child, producing and transmitting child abuse material, and encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity. Separate charges relating to alleged bestiality offences are understood to be unrelated to childcare settings.

The matter has now been committed to the County Court, with Brown due to next appear on 23 June. He remains in custody.

The case has continued to generate significant concern across the early childhood education and care sector, particularly regarding child safety systems, workforce screening processes, governance oversight, regulatory accountability, and information sharing between agencies.

Victorian authorities have established dedicated support pathways for impacted families, educators and communities, including counselling services, wellbeing supports, health advice and trauma-informed assistance.

The Victorian Government’s dedicated investigation page states the matter remains an active police investigation and includes information regarding support services, affected service locations, complaint pathways, mental health supports and health advice for impacted communities.

The investigation has also prompted broader sector-wide discussion regarding Working With Children Check processes, complaint escalation pathways, educator supervision practices, and the importance of strong child-safe cultures across all early childhood settings.

In 2025, the Victorian Government announced a series of reforms following the allegations, including strengthening Working With Children Check powers, improving information sharing arrangements and progressing a statewide register for childcare workers.

While the legal proceedings remain before the courts, sector leaders, providers and regulatory authorities continue to emphasise the importance of robust safeguarding systems, effective governance oversight, and proactive child safety practices across the sector.

Support and resources

Readers seeking official updates, support pathways, affected service information, complaint options or health advice can access the Victorian Government’s dedicated investigation page:

Victorian Government investigation information and supports:
https://www.vic.gov.au/childcare-centres-investigation

Victoria Police investigation updates and media releases:
https://www.police.vic.gov.au/investigation-alleged-incidents-childcare-centres

Families, educators and sector professionals seeking support can also access:

1800RESPECT
National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service
1800 737 732
https://www.1800respect.org.au

Lifeline
24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services
13 11 14
https://www.lifeline.org.au

Blue Knot Foundation
Support for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse
1300 657 380
https://www.blueknot.org.au

Kids Helpline
Counselling support for children and young people
1800 55 1800
https://kidshelpline.com.au

Bravehearts
Specialist child protection and child sexual abuse support services
1800 272 831
https://bravehearts.org.au

Sexual Assault Crisis Line (Victoria)
Statewide after-hours crisis counselling service
1800 806 292
https://www.sacl.com.au

West CASA (Western Centre Against Sexual Assault)
Support for impacted families and communities in Melbourne’s west
(03) 9216 0444
https://www.westcasa.org.au

Original reporting by ABC News and The Age contributed to this article.