Legislation
The Queensland Family and Child Commission (the Commission) is a statutory body charged with significant responsibilities to review and improve the systems that protect and safeguard our children.
The Family and Child Commission Act 2014, states that our responsibilities are to:
- promote the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and young people
- promote and advocate for the responsibility of families and communities to protect and care for children and young people
- improve the child protection system
- maintain a register of child deaths in Queensland and report on them annually to identify trends and inform prevention strategies
- host the Child Death Review Board (the Board) and support systemic reviews following the death of a child connected to the child protection system.
Under the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (the CSO Act) the Commission is responsible for regulating, monitoring and reporting on the operation of the Child Safe Organisations system.
The purpose of the CSO Act is to:
- protect children from harm
- promote the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children.
The CSO Act states that our responsibilities are to:
- promote the safety of children
- promote the prevention of child abuse
- promote the proper response to allegations of child abuse
- promote continuous improvement and best practice by child safe entities to ensure the safety of children
- promote, monitor and enforce the implementation of, and compliance with, the Child Safe Standards and Universal Principle by child safe entities
- administer, monitor and enforce compliance with the Reportable Conduct Scheme
- collaborate with sector regulators
- report to the Minister about matters relating to the Child Safe Standards and Universal Principle.
Under our legislation, we do not have the jurisdiction to investigate individual children’s and families’ circumstances.
If you have a reason to suspect a child in Queensland is experiencing harm, or is at risk of experiencing harm or being neglected, contact the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety' Child Safety Services Centres and talk to someone about your concerns:
- During normal business hours - contact the Regional Intake Service.
- After hours and on weekends - contact the Child Safety After Hours Service Centre on 1800 177 135.
The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you have a complaint about a child safety matter, contact the Queensland Ombudsman.