The National Principles
The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations is a best practice guide for how to approach child safety within your organisation.
The 10 principles can help organisations and businesses:
- provide children and young people with a safe and inclusive environment
- prevent and minimise child abuse and/or the risk of harm
The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
- Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
- Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
- Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
- Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
- People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
- Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child focused.
- Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
- Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
- Implementation of the national child safe principles is regularly reviewed and improved.
- Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
Better practice for child safe organisations
While compliance with the National Principles is not mandatory, Creative Workplaces strongly encourages all organisations engaging with children and young people to strive to comply with the National Principles.
Child Safe Standards
Some states and territories also have Child Safe Standards that apply to some types of organisations and businesses.
The Child Safe Standards are consistent with (and sometimes expand on) the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Organisations need to check if the state or territory they operate in has Child Safe Standards, and whether they apply to the organisation.
Take extra care to check if the organisation:
- provides coaching or tuition services for children (including in music, art, dance and other art forms)
- provides commercial services to children (e.g. entertainment services
- is a school
- is a religious body
- s a camp provider
- is an accommodation provider.
Find out about the Child Safe Standards in:
- Australian Capital Territory — ACT Human Rights Commission
- New South Wales — Office of the Children’s Guardian
- Northern Territory — Office Of The Children’s Commissioner
- Queensland — Queensland Family and Child Commission
- South Australia — The Department of Human Services
- Tasmania — Office of the Independent Regulator
- Victoria — Commission for Children and Young People
States and territories that have not developed Child Safe Standards are still guided by the National Principles.
Check if you're required to comply
Not all businesses and organisations are required to comply with Child Safe Standards.
- Check if your state or territory has Child Safe Standards
If yes:
- Check if they apply to your organisation.
If you’re not sure:
- Contact the state or territory government body who is responsible for the Standards.
If no:
- The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations still apply.
Child safety for government organisations
Australian Government entities should also be aware of the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework. This sets minimum standards for creating and maintaining a child safe culture and practices.
Visit the National Office for Child Safety to learn if this applies to your workplace.
