Kate Maddern is the acting Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner.
Kate was appointed in November 2025 by the Governor-in-Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, and is responsible for regulating the conduct of disability workers. As well as regulating unregistered workers, the Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner responds to complaints about all disability workers and has the power to ban unregistered workers from the sector for breaching the Code of Conduct. The Commissioner works with the Disability Worker Registration Board of Victoria to provide independent oversight and safeguards to ensure Victorians can seek advice and make complaints about the conduct of disability workers.
Kate is passionate about the important role of the Commission and Board in providing safeguards and quality disability services for Victorian people with disability. Kate has significant regulatory experience and achievement at an executive level across various Victorian regulators and policy areas. She has a deep understanding of contemporary regulatory and legislative frameworks.
Kate played a leadership role in the Disability Worker Regulation Scheme between 2019 and 2025. She led the implementation work to establish the Scheme (before the Commissioner and Board were appointed). More recently, as Director, Scheme Performance she provided high level support, leadership and guidance to the inaugural Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner, Commission and the Board. Her other executive regulatory roles include Director, Public Transport Regulatory Operations (2016-2018) and Director, Regulatory Practice at Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (2013-2016).
Kate Maddern holds a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Read about our former Commissioner
Dan Stubbs served as Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner from 2019 to 2025.
Dan was the inaugural Commissioner and brought to the role extensive experience in disability law reform, advocacy and research.
Dan has a disability; he has a sight impairment. Dan’s lived experience of disability and his experience working alongside people with disability means he has some understanding of the reliance people have on disability workers and the need to ensure services are safe and of the highest quality.
Read the statement announcing Dan’s departure here.
