MELBOURNE, VIC. — Sexual Crimes Squad detectives today 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.
Victoria Police has been in close liaison with the Department of Health, and the Chief Health Officer has advised that no children will require further testing, as testing was previously been recommended for the childcare centres involved.
No new childcare centres were identified where Brown had previously worked.
There are 23 childcare centres where it is known Brown worked, and this has not changed since July 16.
Today’s 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 March 26, 2019;
- Only About Children in Williamstown on December 1, 2020 and February 22, 2021;
- Aussie Kindies Early Learning Centre in Keilor between February 3 and 11, 2025.
The families of the four victims have been notified and have been provided with all available support services.
Brown was this morning charged with the following additional offences:
- Six counts of penetration of a child under 12;
- Eight counts of producing child abuse material (CAM) for use through a carriage service;
- Twenty-three counts of using a carriage service to transmit CAM;
- Seven counts of using a carriage service to solicit CAM;
- Seven counts of using a carriage service to cause CAM to be transmitted to oneself;
- 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 causing 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 possession of a 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 protective custody (isolation, also known within prisons as ‘the slot’ or ‘boneyard’) since May 12.
He will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on February 10, 2026 for an initial hearing, before the matter is expected to be sent to the County or Supreme Court.
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, as well as support and information for impacted families and communities and is accessible at https://www.vic.gov.au/childcare-centres-investigation
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.
The childcare providers are continuing to cooperate fully with the police on this matter.
Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppersvic.com.au or 1800 333 000.
