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.

‍