Who do the Standards apply to

Queensland's Child Safe Standards apply to businesses and organisations that provide services or spaces specifically for children.

The Child Safe Organisations Act lists the sectors where the Standards apply. Businesses and organisations in these sectors will need to implement the Standards if they provide:

services specifically for children

or

facilities specifically for use by children who are supervised by the organisation.

Some child safe entities will also be required to comply with the Reportable Conduct Scheme under the Act. Find out if your organisation needs to comply with the scheme.

Services specifically for children means that some or all of the organisation’s services, activities or programs are aimed at children or have a special application for children in the way that they are provided.

If your organisation provides services for both children and adults, you may be considered a child safe entity if your services have a particular purpose for, or application to, children.

If one part of the organisation provides a service specifically for children, the entire organisation is considered a child safe entity, not just the child-focused service.

For example, an organisation that operates a community bus service that is used by members of the public and is not specifically for children or amended for children’s use would not be a child safe entity under the Act, but an organisation that provides a pick-up and drop-off bus service for a childcare centre would be a child safe entity, as the service is specifically for children.

If an organisation operated both of these services, it would be a child safe entity, because the Act applies to the organisation, not individual parts of its service delivery.

The standards were introduced in a phased approach, with the last sectors coming into effect on 1 April 2026. This means that businesses and organisations in the categories listed below are now all in scope and need to comply with the standards.

Accommodation or residential services

housing and accommodation services including supported accommodation, community or social housing
domestic and family violence services including emergency accommodation
camps or excursions with overnight stays – for example, Scouts or Girl Guides
school boarding facilities, student hostels, and student residential colleges.

Child protection services

residential care providers
organisations providing foster and kinship care services
support services for children, parents and families relating to child protection
family support and wellbeing services
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations exercising delegated authority under the Child Protection Act.

Commercial services for children

This includes businesses and organisations providing services or facilities specifically for children on a commercial basis, including:

gym or play facilities – for example, indoor play centres
talent or beauty competitions
modelling services
photographers – including school or family photographers
party and entertainment services.

Community services

community services for children, including neighbourhood centres funded by the state
youth support services
early childhood education, childcare and child-minding services
early education and care services in Queensland, including short-term care, long day care, family day care, and out of school hours care (OSHC)
personal childcare including nannies, baby sitters and in-home care services.

Education services

schools (including state, independent and private schools)
organisations providing international secondary student exchange programs
TAFE, universities and registered training organisations (RTOs).

Government

Queensland Government departments – for example, Queensland Health, Department of Education
the Queensland Police Service and emergency services
Queensland statutory authorities – bodies like the Queensland Mental Health Commission, Health and Wellbeing Queensland, and the Queensland Family and Child Commission
local councils.

Health services

public hospitals and health services
private hospitals and health facilities, including day surgeries and clinics
the Queensland Ambulance Service
mental health services including treatment, assessment or rehab services/programs
organisations providing alcohol or other drug related treatment
counselling or support services
pathology services, dieticians, naturopaths, speech pathologists, community health services and other health service providers.

Justice or detention services

youth detention centres
legal or other advocacy services
diversionary and early intervention programs
organisations supporting rehabilitation and community service orders – for example, graffiti removal programs
bail support services
services supporting reintegration for children who have committed offences.

Religious bodies

religious bodies providing activities or services of any kind, including church services, youth groups, and chaplaincy.

Services for children with disability

NDIS service providers (whether or not they are registered under the federal National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013)
providers of disability support services including accommodation, respite, community access and support, advocacy and information services, alternative communication services – for example, Auslan interpreters – and training and development services.

Services or activities provided primarily for children

clubs and associations – for example, P&C associations and sporting clubs
cultural and recreational services – including dance, theatre and musical programs
coaching, tutoring or private teaching services including a regulated business providing private teaching, coaching or tutoring under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000.

Transport or transport-related services

bus and other transport services provided specifically for children
school crossing supervisors
driving instructors.

Last reviewed date: 8 Apr 2026

Last updated date: 8 Apr 2026

Who do the Standards apply to