The Western Australian Government is committed to supporting the development of Child Safe Organisations WA, guiding organisations to embed safety, respect, and accountability in all their work with children and young people. Although WA does not yet have a fully independent enforcement regime for child safe principles, organisations are strongly encouraged to adopt and demonstrate compliance with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
ChildSafe Australia can assist WA organisations translate these principles into practical policies, risk systems, training, and sustainable child-safe culture.
Western Australia Child Safe Organisations
Introduction
What the WA Child Safe Organisations Program Requires
- Leadership, Governance & Culture – Safety is embedded by leaders, and every level of the organisation champions child safety.
- Participation & Voice – Children and young people have opportunities to express concerns and influence how safety is managed.
- Equity & Diversity – Organisations must recognise and respond to diverse needs, including cultural, disability, and language needs.
- Complaints & Response – There must be accessible, child‑centered processes for complaints, concerns, and feedback.
- Training & Capability – Staff and volunteers must be supported with knowledge, skills, and ongoing professional development.
- Monitoring & Continuous Improvement – Organisations are expected to regularly review how they implement the principles and adapt.
WA’s Child Safe Organisations WA program provides guidelines, resources, case studies, tools, and templates to assist organisations in applying these principles.
Who Must Engage / Comply
While WA does not mandate ‘child safe scheme’ compliance across all sectors, any organisation that works with children and young people is encouraged to adopt child safe practices, including:
- Schools, early learning centres, and youth education providers
- Community services, youth and welfare organisations
- Sport, recreation, arts, cultural and faith‑based groups with child programs
- Health, disability, counselling, or support services serving children
- Government departments and agencies that deliver child‑facing services
Adoption of child safe practices is seen as part of organisational maturity, and many funders or partners require demonstration of safe frameworks.
Working with Children Check (WA)
A foundational safeguard in WA is the Working With Children (WWC) Check, a compulsory screening strategy for most people undertaking child-related work in WA and the Christmas & Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Applicants must complete a background screening to assess their suitability for child‑related work. For employees and self-employed persons, the fee is $87; for volunteers or unpaid roles, the fee is $11. The WWC application receipt often allows an applicant to begin or continue child‑related work while processing is pending.
Employers and organisations must keep accurate records of each staff or volunteer’s WWC card number, expiry date, application number, and any notifications from the WWC Screening Unit such as negative notices. The WWC Check is one safeguard, but it must operate alongside sound policies, risk management, and a positive organisational culture.
Implementing the Standards in Your WA Organisation
Turning the National Principles into everyday reality in WA settings requires a considered approach. The Implementing the 10 Principles guidance from the CCYP WA encourages organisations to:
- Plan a clear implementation roadmap with leadership buy‑in.
- Assess readiness, training needs, and organisational capacity.
- Assign accountability, define roles, and establish reporting pathways.
- Use risk management approaches to tailor interventions.
- Monitor, evaluate, and iterate improvements in safety practices.
- Collaborate with children, families, and community to ensure relevance and authenticity.
ChildSafe Australia offers group training and facilitated implementation workshops that help WA organisations map these principles to their context—whether in youth services, education, clubs, community agencies, or health settings.
How ChildSafe Australia Can Help WA Organisations
- Gap analysis and audit against CCYP WA’s guidelines and the National Principles.
- Policy and procedure development tailored to your service model and risk profile.
- Tailored training and capacity building for your team.
- Ongoing consultancy and coaching through implementation.
- Continuous improvement reviews for early childhood, education, and care organisations.
With practical tools and partnership, ChildSafe helps WA organisations translate national standards into local, meaningful, and sustainable safety practices.
Learn more at Child Safe Organisations WA via the Commissioner for Children and Young People WA site
