What You Need to Know
Clubs, associations, or cadet organisations that have a significant membership of, or involvement by, children is expected to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023.
Clubs, associations, and cadet organisations with significant involvement by children — including regular hirers of Council facilities — are expected to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023.
Why This Legislation Exists
The Act was introduced in response to growing community concern about child safety, following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Key Requirements for Your Organisation
- Comply with 10 new child and youth safe standards
- Report any reportable conduct within 3 business days — this includes allegations of emotional harm, neglect, physical violence, sexual misconduct, inappropriate behaviour, grooming, and certain social media misuse
- Report any past or historical abuse
- Review policies and procedures, including complaints processes
- Conduct screening checks and inductions for employees and volunteers likely to have direct contact with children
- Ensure workers can help community members raise child safety concerns confidentially
What Council is Doing
Council is updating its own processes, implementing staff training, improving screening procedures, and developing a Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy and Statement of Commitment to Child and Youth Safety.
Council is also participating in a statewide local government network and an internal child safety working group.
Getting Help
- Organisational obligations — contact the Office of the Independent Regulator: oir.tas.gov.au
- Child safety concerns — Strong Families, Safe Kids: 1800 000 123 or strongfamiliessafekids.tas.gov.au
- Report concerns about an adult’s behaviour — Office of the Independent Regulator online webform
- Crisis support — Lifeline: 13 11 14 | Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
- Police — 131 444 for criminal behaviour concerns
- General enquiries — Department of Education, Children and Young People: 1800 816 057
Training & Resources
- Health resources: health.tas.gov.au/publications/child-safety-and-wellbeing-resources-and-publications
- Free online child safety training: decyp.tas.gov.au
- Cultural safety video — Keeping Our Kids Safe: available on YouTube
- Free organisational training from the Office of the Independent Regulator
Unsure what something on this page means? Check out Our Glossary.