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Queensland Child Safe Standards

Introduction

From October 2025, major reforms to child safety laws will begin in Queensland. These reforms introduce:

  • Child Safe Standards – embedding child safety into governance, policies, and everyday practice.
  • A Reportable Conduct Scheme – requiring organisations to report, investigate, and respond to allegations involving staff and volunteers.

These changes ensure that every organisation working with children puts their safety first.

The Reportable Conduct Scheme has been brought forward and will now commence for all organisations on 1 July 2026. Find out if you need to comply.

Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC)

The Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) is an independent statutory body established by the Queensland Government to strengthen the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Its role includes overseeing the implementation of the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024, which introduces the Child Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme. The QFCC provides guidance, tools, and resources to help organisations comply with the standards, monitors sector-wide progress, and reviews systems to ensure children are protected. It also acts as a regulator, assessing compliance, supporting continuous improvement, and intervening where risks or non-compliance are identified, while promoting cultural safety and community trust.

The 10 Queensland Child Safe Standards

The Universal Principle requires every organisation to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families experience environments that are culturally safe — where they feel welcome, respected, valued, and included. The Universal principal must be reflected in each of the 10 standards.

  1. Leadership & Culture – Child safety is central to governance and values.
  2. Children & Young People Are Empowered – Their voices are respected and decisions include them.
  3. Family & Community Engagement – Families are partners in child safety.
  4. Equity & Diversity – Inclusive, culturally safe environments.
  5. Suitable & Supported Staff – Strong recruitment, screening, and supervision.
  6. Child-Focused Complaints Processes – Accessible, transparent and safe.
  7. Staff Knowledge & Skills – Ongoing training for all levels.
  8. Safe Physical & Online Environments.
  9. Continuous Improvement – Regular evaluation of practices.
  10. Policies & Procedures – Documentation demonstrating compliance.

Many states have a universal principle (or added standard) of cultural safety, that applies across all ten, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children feel included and respected.

These principles and state-based laws are not just compliance obligations — they are about creating environments where children and families feel genuinely safe, respected, and heard. By embedding child safe practices, organisations build trust, strengthen community confidence, and protect children from harm.

the 10 child safe standards

Compliance Timeline in Queensland

The Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 sets a phased rollout:

  • Phase 1 – From 1 October 2025
    Child protection services, disability services, youth detention/justice, and government departments (including councils and QPS).
  • Phase 2 – From 1 January 2026
    Early learning centres, schools, TAFEs, RTOs, universities, health, counselling, youth support services, and state-funded community organisations.
  • Phase 3 – From 1 April 2026
    Commercial child services (e.g. gyms, play centres, tutoring), religious organisations, sporting, cultural, and recreational associations.
  • Reportable Conduct Scheme – From 1 July 2026
    Legal duties commence to report, investigate, and address allegations of harm.

Support for Small Organisations

For volunteer-run or small community groups, compliance may feel overwhelming. That’s where ChildSafe Australia provides tailored support:

  • Ready-Made Policy Templates – Child Safety Policy, Code of Conduct, Complaints & Reporting Policy, Risk Management Framework.
  • Child Safe Training QLD – Awareness (Level 1), Manager/Coordinator (Level 2), Governance & Policy (Levels 3–4).
  • Ongoing Support & Coaching – Implementation audits, practice mapping, coaching, and long-term partnership subscriptions.

Why These Laws Matter

This is not just about ticking compliance boxes. Strong child safety practices create spaces where children and families feel safe, welcome, and respected. They build trust, protect staff and volunteers, and strengthen community confidence.

How ChildSafe Can Help

ChildSafe offers memberships, resources, and consultancy services to help Queensland organisations implement the standards effectively:

With the right support, your organisation can confidently meet the new QLD Child Safe Standards and make a lasting impact.
Visit the QFCC website for official resources and timelines.