Child safe standards by state — mandatory schemes and regulators compared
Australia's child safe standards roll out state-by-state with different numbers of standards, regulators and commencement dates. Compare Victoria's 11 standards, NSW's 10, Queensland's new Child Safe Organisations Act, Tasmania, ACT, SA, WA and NT.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommended a set of National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. Implementation has been state-by-state — and uneven. Victoria, NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT now have legislated mandatory schemes overseen by a dedicated regulator. South Australia has adopted the National Principles for organisations developing policies but is still building a legislated framework. Western Australia and the Northern Territory are encouraging voluntary adoption while developing oversight.
The headline difference is the number of standards. Victoria has 11 — the only jurisdiction with an extra Aboriginal cultural-safety standard layered on top of the 10 National Principles. NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT all run 10-standard schemes. Each scheme is paired with a Reportable Conduct Scheme that requires the head of a covered organisation to notify the regulator of allegations of reportable conduct (such as sexual misconduct, ill-treatment or significant neglect) against a worker.
The commencement dates matter for compliance planning. Victoria's standards started in 2016 and were strengthened in 2022. NSW's became mandatory in 2023. The ACT's mandatory scheme commenced 1 August 2024. Tasmania's Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework commenced 1 January 2024. Queensland's Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 began rolling out from 1 October 2025 with full sectoral coverage by April 2026.
For the plain-English explainer, see our companion guide: Child safe standards in Australia: state-by-state.
Comparison matrix
Click any column header to sort.
Number of standards | 10 OCG NSW | 11 (extra Aboriginal cultural-safety standard) CCYP Vic | 10 + Universal Principle (cultural safety) QFCC | Voluntary — 10 National Principles WA Communities | 10 National Principles (adopted) CCYP SA | 10 + Universal Principle (Aboriginal cultural safety) OIR Tas | 10 ACT HRC | Voluntary — 10 National Principles endorsed OCC NT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mandatory or voluntary? | Mandatory (covered organisations) OCG NSW | Mandatory (all child-serving organisations) CCYP Vic | Mandatory — phased from 1 Oct 2025 to Apr 2026 QFCC | Voluntary (mandatory scheme in development; Ombudsman WA designated oversight body Oct 2025) CCYP WA | Adopted (mandatory for child-safe policies from 1 Jul 2021); legislated framework in development Child Safe Aus | Mandatory (from 1 Jan 2024) OIR Tas | Mandatory (from 1 Aug 2024) ACT HRC | Voluntary (endorsed; mandatory for NT schools) NT Education |
Regulator / oversight body | Office of the Children's Guardian OCG NSW | Social Services Regulator (from Feb 2026; previously CCYP) SSR Vic | Queensland Family and Child Commission QFCC | Ombudsman WA (announced Oct 2025) Ombudsman WA | Department of Human Services + CCYP SA DHS SA | Office of the Independent Regulator OIR Tas | ACT Human Rights Commission ACT HRC | Office of the Children's Commissioner NT OCC NT |
Reportable Conduct Scheme Whether the state has a parallel Reportable Conduct Scheme requiring notification of allegations against workers. | Yes — administered by OCG OCG NSW | Yes — administered by CCYP (transferring to SSR) CCYP Vic | Yes — rolling out under Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 QFCC | Yes — implemented 2023; expanded 2024 Ombudsman WA | No statewide Reportable Conduct Scheme — under consideration Child Safe Aus | Yes — administered by OIR from 1 Jan 2024 OIR Tas | Yes — administered by ACT HRC ACT HRC | No statewide Reportable Conduct Scheme OCC NT |
Governing Act | Children's Guardian Act 2019 (NSW) NSW Legislation | Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) Vic Legislation | Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld) Qld Legislation | No primary Act (Reportable Conduct under Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1971) WA Legislation | Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 (SA) SA Legislation | Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023 (Tas) Tas Legislation | Human Rights Commission Act 2005 (ACT) ACT Legislation | No mandatory Act (endorsed under NT Children's Commissioner Act 2013) NT Legislation |
Commencement date (mandatory standards) | 1 Feb 2023 (mandatory compliance powers) OCG NSW | 1 Jul 2022 (current 11 standards) CCYP Vic | 1 Oct 2025 (phased to Apr 2026) QFCC | Voluntary — date TBA for mandatory scheme CCYP WA | 1 Jul 2021 (policy alignment requirement) Child Safe Aus | 1 Jan 2024 OIR Tas | 1 Aug 2024 ACT HRC | Voluntary; mandatory for schools (Education Act 2015) NT Education |
Every cell links to the cited source. Rules Mate links and summarises — it does not reproduce statutory text. Confirm with the cited regulator before relying on any cell.
Frequently asked
Why does Victoria have 11 standards instead of 10?
Victoria's Standard 1 is a dedicated Aboriginal cultural-safety standard sitting alongside the 10 National Principles. Tasmania and Queensland take a different approach: they have 10 standards plus a Universal Principle of cultural safety that applies across all 10. The substantive content is broadly aligned across all three frameworks.
Do all states have a Reportable Conduct Scheme?
No. NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT and Western Australia have established Reportable Conduct Schemes. Queensland's scheme is rolling out under the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024. South Australia and the Northern Territory do not have statewide schemes at present.
Are the standards mandatory in WA and NT?
Not yet. Both jurisdictions have endorsed the National Principles and encourage organisations to implement them voluntarily. WA announced the Ombudsman as the designated oversight body in October 2025 and is developing a mandatory scheme. NT schools must apply the National Principles under the Education Act 2015, but the rest of the sector is voluntary.
When do Queensland's standards become mandatory?
The Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 commenced on 1 October 2025 and rolls out in phases. Phase 2 (from 1 January 2026) covers early learning, schools, TAFEs, universities, health services and state-funded community organisations. Phase 3 (from 1 April 2026) covers commercial child services, religious organisations, sport and recreation. Full rollout is targeted for July 2027.
Related
Companion articles
Other comparisons
- Payroll tax by state — thresholds, rates and levies compared →
- Labour hire licensing by state — schemes, hosts and penalties compared →
- Long service leave by state — qualifying period, accrual and portability compared →
- Foreign buyer stamp duty surcharge by state — rates and surcharges compared →
- Workers compensation by state — schemes, benefits and common law compared →
- Public holidays 2026 by state — dates and penalty rate basics →
- Liquor licensing trading hours by state — hotel, on-premises and packaged compared →
- Tobacco and vaping licensing by state — retailer licences and reform timeline →