Officer at Malmsbury Juvenile Centre stabbed with broom handle shiv

A guard at a Melbourne juvenile justice centre has been taken to hospital after being stabbed with a broom handle sharpened into a shiv.

Emergency crews were called to the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre in Malmsbury about 1.15pm today following reports that a person had been injured.

9News understands the centre's emergency response team were carrying out room searches following reports from another staff member they had smelt cannabis, when a young inmate on remand in the high security unit lunged at officers with the crude weapon, puncturing the officers skin.

"Investigators have been told a man in his 40s was assaulted by a youth at a correctional facility on Mollison Street about 1.15pm," a spokesmen for Victoria Police said.

The man was taken to hospital with an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson saying he suffered non-life threatening injuries to his upper-body.

In a statement, the Department of Justice and Community Safety confirmed that a staff member had been taken to hospital and that the matter had been referred to police.

"Violent behaviour or assaults at youth justice centres are absolutely unacceptable, and the safety of staff, young people and the community is of the utmost importance," a department spokesperson said.

"New laws are now in effect that strengthen consequences for young people who assault youth justice custodial workers, damage property, and escape or try to escape."

An investigation into the assault is ongoing.