Reportable Conduct Scheme
Queensland's new child safeguarding law, the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (the Act), came into effect on 1 October 2025. It introduced a system to protect youths from harm in organisational settings and to enable an appropriate response if harm or misconduct occurs.
Under the Act, businesses and organisations that care for, supervise, or exercise authority over children, and deliver services nominated in the Act, are required to introduce a Reportable Conduct Scheme from 1 July 2026.
The Reportable Conduct Scheme requires the Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support to identify, report, and investigate allegations or convictions of child abuse or child-related misconduct made about our staff or funded service providers.
The scheme works alongside the Child Safe Standards, which focus on preventing harm. While the standards aim to create safe environments for youths, the scheme provides a clear process for responding to allegations of harm if they occur.
Types of reportable conduct
Reportable conduct refers to specific behaviours or actions involving child abuse or child-related misconduct. This includes:
- child sexual offence (sexual offences committed against a child or in the presence of a child)
- sexual misconduct committed in relation to, or in the presence of, a child
- ill-treatment of a child
- significant neglect of a child
- physical violence committed in relation to, or in the presence of, a child
- behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm to a child.
Reportable conduct does not include behaviour that is reasonable for the discipline, management, or care of a child. This includes:
- reasonable behaviour management consistent with codes of conduct
- an action or decision that complies with departmental policies and procedures
- minor accidents where no neglect or recklessness is involved
- trivial incidents with no risk of significant harm.
How to report reportable conduct
The Reportable Conduct Scheme applies to all workers of the Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support. This includes employees, volunteers, trainees, contractors, subcontractors, and consultants.
If you have a reasonable belief that a worker has engaged in child abuse or child-related misconduct, you can report these allegations or convictions of reportable conduct to the Reportable Conduct Unit at reportable.conduct@youthjustice.qld.gov.au.
You do not need to determine whether the behaviour meets the threshold for reportable conduct before making a report. Even if the conduct seems minor, isolated, or uncertain, it may be significant when combined with other reports or if further investigation reveals serious harm. If you are unsure, you should still notify the Reportable Conduct Unit. There is no penalty for making a report in good faith.
Reports made to the department will be notified to the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) within 3 business days. An interim report will be provided to the QFCC within 30 business days of becoming aware of the allegation or conviction. A final report will be provided to the QFCC as soon as practicable.
Resources
Contact us
For further information, contact the Reportable Conduct Unit at reportable.conduct@youthjustice.qld.gov.au.
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