Implementation timeline
Under Queensland’s new child safeguarding law, the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024, businesses or organisations that provide services or spaces specifically for children need to introduce 10 Child Safe Standards and a Reportable Conduct Scheme.
These businesses and organisations are known in the legislation as child safe entities, which are mentioned in schedule 1 of the Act or prescribed by regulation.
An individual person is considered a child safe entity only when they carry on a business, such as a sole trader.
The law comes into effect at different stages, depending on your sector. Read below to see when your business or organisation needs to comply.
- a departmental or licensed care service under the Child Protection Act 1999 e.g. residential care, foster and kinship care
- organisations providing services related to child protection
- support services for parents and families relating to child protection
- family support and wellbeing services
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation with a prescribed delegate under the Child Protection Act 1999.
- a provider of disability services under the Disability Services Act 2006 (s12) e.g. accommodation support, respite services, community support services etc.
- NDIS service providers under the Disability Services Act 2006 (s15).
- organisations providing programs and services mentioned in the Youth Justice Act 1992 (s302)
- organisations that provides legal or other advocacy services
- organisations providing diversionary, interventionist or rehabilitation activities e.g. a graffiti removal program under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 or bail support services.
- public sector organisations under the Public Sector Act 2022 (s8)
- Queensland Police Service
- local Government.
Phase 2: Commencing compliance 1 January 2026
- housing and accommodation services (supported accommodation, community or social housing)
- domestic and family violence services (e.g. emergency accommodation)
- camps or excursions with overnight stays
- school boarding facilities, student hostels, student residential colleges.
- state educational institution under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006
- a non-state school under the Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2017
- a not-for-profit organisation that holds student exchange approval under the Education (Overseas Students) Act 2018
- TAFE Queensland
- a dual sector Organisation under the TAFE Queensland Act 2013 (s57)
- a registered training organisation under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (Cwlth)
- a university.
- a hospital and health service
- Queensland Ambulance Service
- private health facility under the Private Health Facilities Act 1999
- provides mental health services including treatment, assessment or rehab services/programs
- alcohol or other drug related treatment
- counselling or support services including regulated services providing health, counselling and support services under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000
- a health service provider under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (QLD).
- approved provider under the Education and Care Services National Law (QLD)
- Queensland approved provider or stand alone service under the Education and Care Services Act 2013
- provides adjunct care within the meaning of the Education and Care Services Act 2013
- provides childcare including nanny, baby sitting or in-home care services.
Phase 3: Commencing compliance 1 April 2026
- an organisation providing general services or facilities specifically for children on a commercial basis including gym or play facilities, talent or beauty competitions, modelling services, photography services, entertainment services or party services.
- organisation providing transport or transport related services e,g, school crossing supervisors under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995
- an organisation providing driver training services by trainers accredited under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995.
- provides community or support services e.g. chaplaincy service or children's recreation service
- activities or services - church services, youth groups.
- a club or association e.g Scouts, Girl Guides, P&C association or a sporting club
- cultural, sporting or recreational services e.g. an art or performing arts program, swimming school
- coaching, tutoring or private teaching services including regulated organisations providing private teaching, coaching or tutoring under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000.
Reportable Conduct Scheme
The implementation of the Reportable Conduct Scheme will commence from 1 July 2026. There are some differences between the child safe organisations who have a legal obligation under the Reportable Conduct Scheme. Any child organisation listed under the Reportable Conduct Scheme is required to implement the Child Safe Standards.
Phase 1: Commencing compliance 1 July 2026
- a departmental or licensed care service under the Child Protection Act 1999 e.g. residential care, foster and kinship care
- organisations providing services related to child protection
- support services for parents and families relating to child protection
- family support and wellbeing services
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation with a prescribed delegate under the Child Protection Act 1999.
- a provider of disability services under the Disability Services Act 2006 (s12) e.g. accommodation support, respite services, community support services etc.
- NDIS service providers under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cwlth).
- detention centre under the Youth Justice Act 1992
- organisations providing programs and services mentioned in the Youth Justice Act 1992 (s302).
- public sector organisations under the Public Sector Act 2022 (s8)
- Queensland Police Service
- local Government.
Phase 2: Commencing compliance 1 January 2027
- supported accommodation services for persons who are, or are at risk of becoming homeless, or transitioning from homelessness and provide overnight beds e.g. social housing, crisis accommodation or temporary supported accommodation as part of Domestic Family Violence services
- provides camps or excursions that include overnight stays for children as part of its primary functions
- residential facility for a boarding school
- a student hostel established under the Education (General provisions) Act 2006 (s15) or operated under an allowance paid under section 368(1)(e) of that Act.
- state educational institution under the Education (General provisions) Act 2006
- a non-state school under the Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2017
- a not-for-profit organisation that holds student exchange approval under the Education (Overseas Students) Act 2018
- TAFE Queensland
- a dual sector organisation under the TAFE Queensland Act 2013 (s57)
- a registered training organisation under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (Cwlth)
- a university.
- a hospital and health service
- Queensland Ambulance Service
- private health facility under the Private Health Facilities Act 1999
- provides mental health services that includes inpatient treatment for children
- alcohol or other drug related treatment that includes inpatient treatment for children.
Phase 3: Commencing compliance 1 July 2027
- an approved provider under the Education and Care Services National Law (QLD)
- a Queensland approved provider under the Education and Care Services Act 2013.
Last updated
2 June 2025
