If a child or vulnerable adult is being (or in imminent danger of being) harmed, do the following.
If a child or vulnerable adult is being (or in imminent danger of being) harmed, do the following.
If child abuse and/or neglect is witnessed or suspected contact the relevant state or territory Child Protection / Community Statutory Authorities (below) AND notify a person in a position of authority within ACU (e.g. supervisor, manager or coordinator).
If you are concerned about cyberbullying or a child’s online safety, the Australian Federal Government, Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner website provides a range of up-to-date information and resources, coupled with a comprehensive complaints system to assist children who experience serious cyberbullying.
If you are a mandatory reporter, further information about your responsibilities is provided below.
Child protection / community statutory authorities to receive and act on reports of risk of harm
The statutory authorities identified below receive reports of suspected child abuse and neglect from members of the public.
|
State / Territory |
Name of Statutory Authorities and website |
Telephone |
|---|---|---|
|
ACT |
Child and Youth Protection Services, ACT Government Community Services Directorate |
1300 556 729 (24 hours) Mandated Persons use 1300 556 728 (24 hours) |
|
NSW |
Child Protection Helpline, Department of Family and Community Services |
132 111 (24 hours) |
|
Queensland |
Child Safety Service, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services |
Business hours 1300 682 254 (Brisbane) After hours 1800 177 135 or (07) 3235 9999. |
|
Victoria |
Business hours 1300 664 977 (Melbourne) 1800 000 551 (Ballarat) After hours 13 12 78 |
|
|
South Australia |
13 14 78 (24 hours) |
|
|
Northern Territory |
Reports can be made to the 24 hour toll free number 1800 700 250 |
|
|
Western Australia |
Department for Child Protection and Family Support, Department of Communities |
(08) 9222 2555 business hours 1800 199 008 after business hours |
|
Tasmania |
Child Safety Service, Department of Health and Human Services |
Call 1300 737 639 at any time |
Child Family Community Australia have produced a Resource Sheet which has been published by the Australian Institute of Family Studies which provides further information on reporting of risk of harm, abuse and neglect in Australian States and Territories.
Mandatory reporting is a term used to describe the legislative requirement imposed on selected professions to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to statutory authorities.
Further information in relation to mandatory reporting requirements in each state and territory are provided in the table below.
|
State / Territory |
Mandatory reporting – Government Department weblinks |
|---|---|
|
NSW |
|
|
Qld |
Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services |
|
Vic |
|
|
ACT |
|
|
SA |
|
|
NT |
|
|
Tas |
|
|
WA |
(Current at July 2017)
Child Family Community Australia have produced a Resource Sheet which has been published by the Australian Institute of Family Studies which provides further information on mandatory reporting responsibilities in Australian States and Territories.
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