Melbourne Play Centre Fined $60,000 After Girl Falls From Rope Ladder

Incident Overview

An eight-year-old girl sustained serious injuries after falling from a faulty rope ladder at a Melbourne indoor play centre operated by Entertainment Velocity Pty Ltd. WorkSafe Victoria’s investigation found the rope device showed excessive wear and had not been adequately maintained or inspected.

The company was convicted and fined $60,000 plus $6,000 in costs for breaching health and safety laws. The incident underscores systemic safety concerns at indoor play facilities across Victoria.

An eight-year-old girl sustained serious injuries after falling from a faulty rope ladder at a Melbourne indoor play centre operated by Entertainment Velocity Pty Ltd. WorkSafe Victoria’s investigation found the rope device showed excessive wear and had not been adequately maintained or inspected.

WorkSafe Victoria investigated the incident and identified multiple breaches of health and safety legislation. The investigation found that Entertainment Velocity Pty Ltd failed to adequately inspect, maintain, and replace the safety equipment. WorkSafe’s examination revealed systemic issues with climbing equipment maintenance across indoor play centres in Victoria.

Entertainment Velocity Pty Ltd was convicted in the Magistrates’ Court and ordered to pay $60,000 in fines plus $6,000 in costs. WorkSafe has emphasised that all play centre operators must prioritise the safety of children by ensuring equipment is properly maintained and safety procedures are strictly followed.

WorkSafe Victoria is reminding all indoor play centre operators of their legal obligations to inspect, maintain, and replace climbing equipment regularly. Parents and carers with concerns about safety at any play facility are encouraged to report them to WorkSafe Victoria on 1800 136 089 or via the online report form at worksafe.vic.gov.au.