Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please seek independent legal counsel to understand your specific obligations. Learn more
In our last post, we outlined the timeline, scope, and core requirements of Queensland's new Child Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme. Understanding these new obligations is the essential first step.
Now If your organisation works with children or young people in Queensland, important changes to your legal obligations are approaching.
From 1 July 2026, Queensland’s Reportable Conduct Scheme will take effect. It introduces mandatory processes for organisations to identify, respond to, and report allegations of misconduct involving children by staff, volunteers, and contractors. This follows the rollout of the 10 Child Safe Standards, which become compulsory across all sectors by 1 April 2026.
This guide explains what the Scheme is, who it applies to, what your organisation must do, and how you can prepare.
What Is the Reportable Conduct Scheme?
The Reportable Conduct Scheme is a new legal framework that applies to organisations working with or around children. It requires organisations to:
Identify and respond to misconduct involving children (even if unproven)
Notify the QFCC (Queensland Family and Child Commission) of any reportable allegation or conviction involving staff or volunteers
Investigate incidents internally or with external assistance and report the findings to the QFCC
This is separate from mandatory reporting to child protection or police. The scheme focuses on an organisation’s internal responsibilities and ensures leadership remains accountable for addressing risks to children within their operations.
What Is Considered Reportable Conduct?
Under the scheme, reportable conduct includes serious behaviours involving or affecting children, such as:
Sexual offences or sexual misconduct
Physical violence or threats directed at a child
Emotional or psychological harm
Significant neglect or inadequate supervision
Any behaviour that poses a serious risk to a child’s safety or wellbeing
Allegations must be reported even if they are not yet substantiated. The priority is to act promptly and transparently when concerns are raised.
Who Must Comply?
The scheme applies to reporting entities, which are organisations that provide services or activities for children. These include:
Schools, early childhood centres, and education providers
Disability support providers, including NDIS
Youth justice and detention services
Religious bodies
Health services and hospitals
Out-of-home care and accommodation providers
Sport and recreation organisations
Transport services for children
Community and cultural groups
If your organisation is required to meet the Child Safe Standards, it is very likely the Reportable Conduct Scheme will also apply to you.
Key Dates to Know
The rollout is staged by sector to allow time for preparation.
What Are Your Responsibilities?
If your organisation is a reporting entity, you will be required to:
Develop and implement clear policies for identifying and responding to reportable conduct
Notify the QFCC within 3 business days of becoming aware of a reportable allegation or conviction
Conduct an investigation unless the matter is being handled by police or child protection
Provide an investigation report to the QFCC
Take steps to protect children during the investigation process
Keep detailed records and cooperate with the QFCC at all stages
Leaders and boards must ensure these systems are in place. The QFCC can request documents, monitor compliance, or take enforcement action if obligations are not met.
How This Relates to the Child Safe Standards
The Reportable Conduct Scheme complements the 10 Child Safe Standards, which must be implemented across all in-scope organisations by April 2026.
For example:
Standard 5 requires organisations to ensure staff and volunteers are suitable and supported
Standard 6 requires child-focused complaint systems
Standard 9 requires regular reviews of safety systems and responses
If you are preparing to meet the Child Safe Standards, you are already building the foundation for reportable conduct compliance. The scheme builds on those requirements by adding a legal obligation to report and respond to misconduct internally.
Cultural Safety Is a Core Requirement
The Universal Principle—creating culturally safe environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children—must be applied across all child safety processes, including how you manage reportable conduct.
This includes:
Ensuring respectful and inclusive communication with First Nations children and families
Involving Indigenous representatives in policy-making and decision-making
Making sure responses to misconduct reflect cultural needs and perspectives
The principle is mandatory. It applies with the same legal weight as the ten Child Safe Standards.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Leaving preparation until the final months before your deadline
Using policies that are too generic or not tailored to your organisation
Failing to include child and family perspectives in your processes
Treating cultural safety as a token gesture rather than an embedded practice
Not keeping detailed records of training, reports, or incident responses
Being compliant is not just about having documents in place—it is about proving they are in use and effective.
How Diversity Sync’d Can Help
Diversity Sync’d helps you move from “We think we’re ready” to “We know we are.”
Our platform is designed for organisations working with children and offers practical tools to manage your compliance journey:
Policy and Document Management Store and update all child safety documents in one central location. Control access and track version history with ease.
Staff Training and Tracking Assign role-based training, track completions, and keep evidence ready for audits or regulatory reviews.
Reporting and Complaint Tools Enable children, families, or staff to report concerns through secure online forms. Automatically trigger workflows to investigate and respond.
Cultural Safety Support Use built-in checklists and guidance to ensure your practices meet the Universal Principle and promote genuine inclusion.
Compliance Dashboards Track your progress against each of the 10 Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme. Generate reports when needed.
Audit-Ready Logs Maintain records of training, policies, reports, and actions. Be prepared to demonstrate compliance at any time.
Final Thoughts
Queensland’s new child safety laws will soon apply across all organisations working with children. These changes are about more than paperwork—they are about creating systems that protect children, build trust with families, and improve accountability.
Getting ahead now gives your team time to prepare thoughtfully and avoid last-minute stress.
Diversity Sync’d is here to support you at every step, whether you are a sole trader or a national provider. Our platform is tailored, scalable, and built to help you meet your legal and ethical responsibilities with confidence.
Ready to Begin?
Book a demo with the Diversity Sync’d team and see how we can help your organisation meet the Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme requirements—clearly, effectively, and without the complexity.
