NEW SOUTH WALES

The OCG is an independent government agency that works to protect children by promoting and regulating quality child safe organisations and services. The OCG administers the Working with Children Check, the Reportable Conduct Scheme and other child protection functions. They also have Child Safe Coordinators who assist faith-based organisations to understand and implement the Child Safe Standards through resource development and tailored training.

• https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/ 
• https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-organisations 
• https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/about-us/news/keeping-the-faith-and-keeping-kids-safe-new-guide-released 
• https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/about-us/news/guide-for-engaging-sensitively-with-abuse-survivors-now-available 
• https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/organisations/reportable-conduct-scheme/assessing-allegations-neglect 

The Advocate for Children and Young People is an independent statutory office reporting to the NSW Parliament through the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Children and Young People.

The office is established under the Advocate for Children and Young People Act 2014.

• https://www.acyp.nsw.gov.au/  

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

The responsibilities of the Public Advocate and Children and Young People Commissioner (PACYPC) are underpinned by a range of functions including advocacy (individual and systemic), representation, and investigation and monitoring. Some of these functions are specific to children and young people and others encompass people with complex disability needs, including those with mental health conditions and/or forensic patients.

Overarching these functions is a strong focus on ensuring that the PACYPC’s monitoring and oversight functions (and the recommendations that we make to government and non-government agencies on legislation, policies, and practices) contribute to improvements in the accessibility, responsiveness and quality of supports and services that are available for persons experiencing vulnerability.

• https://hrc.act.gov.au/childrenyoungpeople/

VICTORIA

The Commission for Children and Young People is an independent statutory body that promotes improvement in policies and practices affecting the safety and wellbeing of Victorian children and young people. Among other roles, the Commission also supports and regulates organisations, including religious and faith-based organisations that work with children and young people to prevent abuse and make sure these organisations have child safe practices. These requirements include complying with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme established by the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 . 

The Guide for Creating a Child Safe Organisation provides practical ways you can meet the legal obligation of your organisation to comply with Victoria’s compulsory Child Safe Standards.

• https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/assets/resources/CSSGuideFinalV4-Web-New.pdf  

A Guide for Faith Communities on the Reportable Conduct Scheme provides general information to support religious and faith-based organisations comply with the Victorian Reportable Conduct Scheme. 

• https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/assets/Uploads/religious-orgs-guidance-web-lower-resolution.pdf 

 For information about free information sessions, or for further information on the regulatory obligations, visit the Commission website https://ccyp.vic.gov.au   

TASMANIA 

Consistent with the statutory functions set out in the Commissioner for Children and Young People Act 2016, the Commissioner is responsible for advocating for children and young people in Tasmania generally, and for promoting, monitoring and reviewing their wellbeing.

In carrying out these functions, the Commissioner may investigate and make recommendations in respect of the systems, policies and practices of organisations that provide services that affect children and young people. The Commissioner may also investigate and make recommendations in respect of the effects of any legislation, proposed legislation, documents, government policies, or practices or procedures, or other matters relating to the wellbeing of children and young people.

• https://www.childcomm.tas.gov.au/ 

QUEENSLAND

The Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) works collaboratively with government and non-government partners, including families and communities. The role of the QFCC is to respect, advocate for and protect young Queenslanders rights, well-being and safety by driving continuous improvement of the services and systems that support them, and maintain a check on the child protection system to ensure the QFCC can successfully advocate for them for change.

• https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/  

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The work of the Commissioner for Children and Young People is guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; the core treaty which sets out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of children.

The Commissioner promotes and advocates for the rights, interests and well-being of all children and young people in South Australia, and ensures that, as a part of the Commonwealth, South Australia enacts its international obligations.

• https://www.ccyp.com.au/   

The South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People is an independent position, established under the Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Act 2016.

The Commissioner promotes and advocates for the rights, interests and well-being of all children and young people in South Australia, and ensures that, as a part of the Commonwealth, South Australia enacts its international obligations.

• https://www.ccyp.com.au/about-ccyp/ 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 

The Commissioner’s Child Safe Organisations WA program promotes the need for child safe practices across all types of organisations.

The program helps leaders, staff and volunteers within organisations to place the safety of children and young people at the forefront of their activities. It also encourages parents and carers to seek information and ask questions about the child safe strategies used in places their children are attending.

The Commissioner has developed a range of resources to support organisations to develop child safe strategies – balancing the focus on child safety with continued positive interactions and environments that contribute to healthy development. The Commissioner has also developed important information for parents, carers and families, including a checklist. These resources were updated in 2019 and are available below.

• https://www.ccyp.wa.gov.au/our-work/child-safe-organisations-wa/ 

NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Northern Territory Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s role is to deal with and manage enquiries and complaints; identify and address issues affecting vulnerable children; monitor reform, legislative and policy developments relevant to vulnerable children; contribute to improved decision making; and community awareness and education.

• https://accg.org.au/members/northern-territory-office-of-the-childrens-commissioner/ 

REPORTING

For child protection related matters, please refer to state/territory child protection authorities:

• New South Wales - Department of Family and Community Services
• Victoria - Department of Health and Human Services
• Queensland - Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women
• Western Australia - Department of Communities, Child Protection and Family Support
• South Australia - Department for Child Protection
• Tasmania - Department of Health and Human Services
• Australian Capital Territory – Community Services Directorate
• Northern Territory – Territory Families