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ACT Child Safe Standards

Introduction

On 1 August 2024, the ACT made it mandatory for organisations that provide services to children and young people to begin implementing the ACT Child Safe Standards Scheme. These standards are embedded in amendments to the Human Rights Commission Act 2005 (ACT), aligning the ACT’s legal obligations with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

In the ACT, organisations must apply the 10 Child Safe Standards in a way that is culturally safe, inclusive, and responsive to diversity, including the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities.

While the ACT Human Rights Commission (HRC) and the Children and Young People Commissioner (CYPC) oversee implementation, many organisations benefit from tailored tools, training and support to translate the Standards into everyday practice.

What the ACT Child Safe Standards Require

  • Child safety and wellbeing embedded in leadership, governance and culture.
  • Children and young people informed about their rights, participating in decisions and taken seriously.
  • Family and community engagement in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
  • Equity upheld, diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
  • People working with children are suitable, supported, and reflect child safety values.
  • Child‑focused processes for responding to complaints and concerns.
  • Staff and volunteers trained and aware of their responsibilities.
  • Physical and online environments designed to promote safety and reduce opportunity for harm.
  • Regular review, monitoring and continuous improvement of how the Standards are implemented.
  • Policies and procedures that document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

These standards aim not just for procedural compliance, but a cultural shift, embedding child safety into the day‑to‑day workings of organisations.

Who Must Comply

The ACT’s amendments require all organisations providing services or programs for children and young people to commence implementation of the ACT Child Safe Standards. This includes, for example:

  • Schools, early learning centres, and education providers
  • Health, disability, counselling and family services
  • Community groups, youth services, sports and recreation organisations
  • Faith, cultural, arts and community organisations that deliver child‑facing programs
  • Government and not‑for‑profit service providers that serve children or young people

Any organisation already operating under frameworks aligned to the National Principles may find that compliance with the ACT’s new scheme is consistent with existing practice — but implementation and reporting obligations still apply.

Because the ACT approach is risk‑based and phased, initial emphasis is placed on education, capacity building, and awareness over strict enforcement.

Oversight & the Role of the HRC and CYPC

The ACT Human Rights Commission (HRC), together with the Children and Young People Commissioner (CYPC), leads the implementation of the ACT Child Safe Standards Scheme. Their functions include:

  • Providing resources, support, training, and guidance to organisations to build capability under the new Scheme.
  • Monitoring and encouraging compliance in a risk‑based manner, focusing initially on education, awareness, and capacity building over punitive enforcement.
  • Enabling the Scheme’s complaint and oversight mechanisms via HRC’s existing powers under the Human Rights Commission Act.
  • Promoting continuous improvement and long-term cultural change across sectors.

Applying the Standards in Your Organisation

Translating the ACT Child Safe Standards from broad legal requirements into practical, organisation‑specific procedures is critical. Every context — whether a school, youth service, local club, or health provider — has its own risks, culture, and stakeholder dynamics.

ChildSafe group training helps bridge that gap. Our training sessions bring your staff, leadership, and volunteers together to:

  • Interpret each standard in your specific context
  • Map policy and practice gaps
  • Plan risk mitigation strategies tailored to your environment
  • Build shared understanding and ownership of child safety across your organisation

These sessions can be run on‑site or online and are customised for settings such as education, community health, sport, youth services, and local government.

How ChildSafe Australia Can Help in the ACT

Review the ACT Child Safe Standards Scheme via the Human Rights Commission ACT / ACTChildSafe site