There are different types of child safety reporting obligations, depending on the organisation, your role, what has been disclosed or what the incident is.
There are also different timeframes for reporting in different states and territories. Check what is required with your local regulator.
Organisations and businesses need to understand their reporting obligations and respond to child safety incidents.
For organisations and businesses, there are important things to have in place before starting work with children, including a process for responding to concerns and incidents.
If a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm — call 000.
To otherwise report a crime — call your local police on 131 444 or call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
For everyone — Criminal offences for failing to report child sexual abuse
In all states and territories except WA, failure to report child sexual abuse is a criminal offence. All adults have obligations to report sexual abuse and grooming of a child under 16 to police. By all adults, we mean everyone in the community, whether they are connected to the workplace or not. Offences for failing to report can result in up to two to five years imprisonment.
If a child is at immediate risk of harm — call 000.
To otherwise report a crime — call your local police on 131 444 or call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
For leaders — Criminal offences for failure to protect
In all states and territories, the failure to protect is a criminal offence. It applies to adults in a position of power, authority or responsibility in an organisation, who negligently fail to reduce or remove a substantial risk that a child will be sexually abused by another person associated with the organisation. Offences can give rise to up to five years’ imprisonment.
If a child is at immediate risk of harm — call 000.
To otherwise report a crime — call your local police on 131 444 or call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
For organisations — Reportable conduct
Some organisations are covered by a Reportable Conduct Scheme. This will depend on the state and territory they operate in and the type of work they do. Every organisation needs to know if Reportable Conduct Scheme applies to them.
There are Reportable Conduct Schemes in Victoria, NSW, Tasmania, WA, and the ACT. Starting 1 July 2026, Queensland will also have one.
Reportable Conduct Schemes place an obligation on the head of an organisation to make a report to the appropriate regulator if they become aware of a reportable allegation.
Reportable conduct includes conduct by a worker (including employees, volunteers and contractors) involving sexual offences, sexual misconduct, physical violence, behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm, and significant neglect.
Many arts organisations will not be covered by a Reportable Conduct Scheme. It is more likely to apply to organisations that are, or that work closely with:
- a school
- a camp provider
- a religious body
- an accommodation provider.
Contact the regulator in your state or territory to find out more about whether it applies:
- Australian Capital Territory — ACT Ombudsman
- New South Wales — NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian
- Queensland — Queensland Family and Child Commission from 1 July 2026
- Tasmania — Office of the Independent Regulator
- Victoria — Commission for Children and Young People
- Western Australia — WA Ombudsman
For teachers, therapists and other professionals — Mandatory reporting to regulators
In all states and territories, certain professionals must make a mandatory report to the relevant government department if, when working in their role, they reasonably believe:
- a child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, significant harm as a result of physical or sexual abuse, and
- the child's parents have not protected, or are unlikely to protect, the child from harm of that type.
A mandatory report means that under the law, certain people must make the report. Mandatory reporting applies to certain professionals including teachers, medical practitioners, psychologists and social or welfare workers, although there are some slight differences depending on the state or territory.
Most workers in the creative industries will not have mandatory reporting obligations. However, creatives doing similar work may come across information that leads them to believe a young person or child is at risk of harm and in need of protection. For example, unregistered teachers (such as teachers of private music lessons, in dance schools, and in community arts, drama or circus schools) and arts therapists who are not psychologists. Anyone can make a voluntary report to their regulators if they think a child or young person is at risk of harm or in need of protection.
Contact the regulator in your state or territory to find out more about whether mandatory reporting applies:
- Australian Capital Territory — Children, Youth and Families
- New South Wales — Communities and Justice NSW
- Northern Territory — Child Protection NT
- Queensland — Child Safety Services
- South Australia — Department for Child Protection
- Tasmania — Strong Families Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line
- Victoria — Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
- Western Australia — Department of Communities
For everyone — Voluntary reporting to regulators
All adults are able to make voluntary reports to regulators if they think a child or young person is at risk of harm or in need of protection.
- Australian Capital Territory — Children, Youth and Families
- New South Wales — Communities and Justice NSW
- Northern Territory — Child Protection NT
- Queensland — Child Safety Services
- South Australia — Department for Child Protection
- Tasmania — Strong Families Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line
- Victoria — Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
- Western Australia — Department of Communities
