Mandatory reporting guide
Laws vary from state to state requiring mandatory reporting of child abuse. The Australian Institute of Family Studies has published a helpful factsheet setting out the requirements from state to state.
Here is the shortened version:
Mandatory reporting requirements
Jurisdiction
ACT
Who is mandated to notify
Doctors, dentists, nurses, teachers, police, school counsellors, child-care providers, public servants providing services relating to the health or well being of children, young people or families, the community advocate, or the official visitor
What is to be notified
A reasonable suspicion that a child or young person has suffered or is suffering sexual abuse or non-accidental physical injury
NSW
Who is mandated to notify
Persons who deliver health care,welfare, education, children’s services, residential services or law enforcement to children
What is to be notified
Current concerns that a child aged under 16 is at risk of harm
NT
Who is mandated to notify
Police; all other people with reasonable grounds
What is to be notified
Reasonable grounds to believe that a child has suffered or is suffering maltreatment
QLD
Who is mandated to notify
Doctors; nurses.
Officers employed to implement the Act 1999; all staff of residential care services.
Educational staff (teaching and non-teaching staff in government and non-government schools).
What is to be notified
Aware of or reasonably suspects a child has, is, or is likely to suffer harm.
Reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect to a child in residential care.
Aware of or reasonably suspects sexual abuse of a child under 18 by an employee of the school.
SA
Who is mandated to notify
Doctors, pharmacists, nurses, dentists, psychologists, police, community corrections officers, social workers, teachers, family day care providers, employees/volunteers in a government department, agency or instrumentality, or a local government or non-government agency that provides health, welfare, education, child care or residential services wholly or partly for children. Current reforms include religious personnel (with the exception of disclosures made in the confessional).
What is to be notified
Reasonable grounds that a child has been or is being abused or neglected
TAS
Who is mandated to notify
Professionals working with children and employees or volunteers working in government or government-funded organisations
Any adult Suspicion of knowledge of abuse or neglect
What is to be notified
Reasonable grounds to believe or suspect that a child is suffering, has suffered or is likely to suffer abuse or neglect. Current reforms include exposure to domestic violence
VIC
Who is mandated to notify
Police, doctors, nurses and teachers
What is to be notified
Reasonable grounds that physical or sexual abuse is occurring
WA
Who is mandated to notify
Upcoming reform Court personnel, counsellors and mediators
Licensed providers of child care or outside school hours care services.
Legislation will be introduced requiring the key professions of doctors, nurses, teachers and police officers to report Allegations or suspicions of child abuse in Family Court cases.
What is to be notified
Allegations or suspicions of child abuse in a child care service.
When they have evidence that child sexual abuse has occurred or is occurring
