Will my organisation have to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework?

If your organisation engages with children and young people, it could be required to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework from 2024 onwards.

This online tool is designed to guide organisations in determining if they will have to comply with the Framework.

Key things to know before you start:

  • All Tasmanian organisations should work to be safe for children and young people — even those that aren't legally required to follow the Framework.
  • By 'organisation', we also mean sole traders that engage with children and young people.
  • A child or young person in this context means someone under 18 years of age.
  • The information contained within this online tool is guidance and should not be taken as legal advice.
  • Organisations are required to make their own assessment of whether or not they will be required to comply with the Framework (including by reviewing the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023. The details may be subject to change.

Choose the service(s) your organisation provides:

Accommodation and residential services for children, including housing services and overnight camps/excursions

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Under the law, accommodation and residential services for children will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with
  • The Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires leaders of organisations to
    • report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker to an independent body, and
    • do investigations.

This type of organisation must comply if they provide services specifically for children and/or young people OR facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation.

By services specifically for children and/or young people, we mean services and/or programs that are:

  • aimed at children and young people, and/or
  • applied to children and young people in a deliberate way (even if they are infrequent in nature).

For example:

  • This might look like an organisation that provides crisis and transitional support for families who are experiencing homelessness.
  • This is unlikely to look like an organisation that provides goods to homeless services for distribution to people experiencing homelessness.

By facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation, we mean that some, or all of the facilities:

  • are specifically aimed at, or have specific application to, children in the manner of form in which they are provided
  • warrant workers of the organisation watching over or minding children and young people using the facilities.

For example:

  • This might look like an organisation that offers cabins for school camps.
  • This is unlikely to look like a hotel that provides holiday accommodation bookings to families.

What are some examples of organisations that provide this type of service, and will have to comply?

In this context, some examples of accommodation and residential services for children includes:

  • emergency accommodation (including shelters)
  • placement and transitional support services for children experiencing homelessness
  • overnight facilities for school camps
  • other child group camps (such as Scouts or Guides camps).

These examples may not capture every organisation under this category but should give you an idea.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 January 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

Activities or services carried out as part of a particular religion or faith, through which adults have contact with children

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Under the law, religious community services or religious organisations that carry out activities or services through which adults have contact with children will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with
  • The Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires leaders of organisations to
    • report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker to an independent body, and
    • do investigations.

This type of organisation must comply if they provide services specifically for children and/or young people OR facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation.

By services specifically for children and/or young people, we mean services and/or programs that are:

  • aimed at children and young people, and/or
  • applied to children and young people in a deliberate way (even if they are infrequent in nature).

For example:

  • This might look like a faith-based organisation that runs support programs for families.
  • This is unlikely to look like a faith-based organisation that only provides support services to males over the age of 50.

By facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation, we mean that some, or all of the facilities:

  • are specifically aimed at, or have specific application to, children in the manner of form in which they are provided
  • warrant workers of the organisation watching over or minding children and young people using the facilities.

For example:

  • This might look like a faith-based organisation that provides a community access multi-purpose room which children can attend and are supervised by the organisation during attendance.
  • This is unlikely to look like a faith-based organisation that provides a community access multi-purpose room which requires guardians of children to have strict supervision of children during attendance.

What are some examples of organisations that provide this type of service, and will have to comply?

In this context, some examples of religious community services or religious organisations that involve children includes:

  • community organisations that are based in religion, such as Mission Australia or St Vincent de Paul Society
  • organisations offering religious ceremonies and celebrations religious services
  • religious children and youth groups.

These examples may not capture every organisation under this category but should give you an idea.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 January 2024.

What does ‘religious community service’ mean in this context?

A religious community service means an organisation that is based in religion but that provides only practical or support services.

What does ‘religious organisation’ mean in this context?

A religious organisation (otherwise referred to as a ‘religious entity’) means an organisation which conducts religious services to congregations or carries out religious work but does not include a religious community service.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

Childcare and commercial babysitting services

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Under the law, childcare and commercial babysitting services will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with
  • The Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires leaders of organisations to
    • report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker to an independent body, and
    • do investigations.

This type of organisation must comply if they provide services specifically for children and/or young people OR facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation.

By services specifically for children and/or young people, we mean services and/or programs that are:

  • aimed at children and young people, and/or
  • applied to children and young people in a deliberate way (even if they are infrequent in nature).

For example:

  • This might look like a childcare facility.
  • This is unlikely to look like a friend or family member babysitting children.

By facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation, we mean that some, or all of the facilities:

  • are specifically aimed at, or have specific application to, children in the manner of form in which they are provided
  • warrant workers of the organisation watching over or minding children and young people using the facilities.

For example:

  • This might look like a gym that offers child-minding for its members who are using the organisation’s gym.
  • This is unlikely to look like an organisation that provides a hall for use by public groups, including use by commercial childcare centres.

What are some examples of organisations that provide this type of service, and will have to comply?

In this context, some examples of childcare and commercial babysitting services include:

  • childcare centres
  • family day care centres
  • individuals who are paid to carry on business as a babysitter, nanny or au pair
  • In Home Child Care.

These examples may not capture every organisation under this category but should give you an idea.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 January 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

Child protection services and out-of-home care, including Children’s Contact Services

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Under the law, child protection and out-of-home care services will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with
  • The Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires leaders of organisations to
    • report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker to an independent body, and
    • do investigations.

This type of organisation must comply if they provide services specifically for children and/or young people OR facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation.

By services specifically for children and/or young people, we mean services and/or programs that are:

  • aimed at children and young people, and/or
  • applied to children and young people in a deliberate way (even if they are infrequent in nature).

For example:

  • This might look like an organisation operating the mandatory reporting Advice and Referral Line.
  • This is unlikely to look like an organisation that provides support services specifically for parents of children who have been put into out-of-home care.

By facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation, we mean that some, or all of the facilities:

  • are specifically aimed at, or have specific application to, children in the manner of form in which they are provided
  • warrant workers of the organisation watching over or minding children and young people using the facilities.

For example:

  • This might look like an organisation that provides a space for families to have contact with children under the supervision and monitoring of the organisation's staff.
  • This is unlikely to look like a space for children in out-of-home care to connect with other children in out-of-home care in the presence of their guardians.

What are some examples of organisations that provide this type of service, and will have to comply?

In this context, some examples of child protection and out-of-home care services include:

  • a Community-Based Intake Service
  • an organisation that provides services or facilities for the care of children under the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997, for example residential care, sibling group care, therapeutic services offered to a child or young person that is the subject of a care and protection order or supervision order.
  • an organisation that provides an adoption service before the child is adopted
  • an organisation that provides Children’s Contact Services.

These examples may not capture every organisation under this category but should give you an idea.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 January 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

Coaching and tuition services for children (including sole traders)

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Under the law, organisations that provide coaching or tuition services to children will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with
  • The Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires leaders of organisations to
    • report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker to an independent body, and
    • do investigations.

This type of organisation must comply if they provide services specifically for children and/or young people OR facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation.

By services specifically for children and/or young people, we mean services and/or programs that are:

  • aimed at children and young people, and/or
  • applied to children and young people in a deliberate way (even if they are infrequent in nature).

For example:

  • This might look like a local soccer club that has members under the age of 18.
  • This is unlikely to look like a soccer club whose membership is entirely adults aged 18 and above, but whose members sometimes bring their children along to the members’ training sessions.

By facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation, we mean that some, or all of the facilities:

  • are specifically aimed at, or have specific application to, children in the manner of form in which they are provided
  • warrant workers of the organisation watching over or minding children and young people using the facilities.

For example:

  • This might look like an organisation that offers musical instrument hire for use by children during a tutoring session with that organisation.
  • This is unlikely to look like an organisation that loans musical instruments to children for use elsewhere such at home or at school.

What are some examples of organisations that provide this type of service, and will have to comply?

In this context, some examples of coaching and tuition services for children includes:

  • academic tutors
  • dance schools
  • music tutors
  • sport coaches that work with children and young people.

These examples may not capture every organisation under this category but should give you an idea.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 July 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

Commercial services for children, such as party or photography services

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Under the law, organisations that provide commercial services to children will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with.

This type of organisation must comply if they provide services specifically for children and/or young people OR facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation.

By services specifically for children and/or young people, we mean services and/or programs that are:

  • aimed at children and young people, and/or
  • applied to children and young people in a deliberate way (even if they are infrequent in nature).

For example:

  • This might look like a photography company taking the annual photographs of students at a school.
  • This is unlikely to look like a photography company taking photos of people at a public event like Agfest, where children happen to be in attendance.

By facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation, we mean that some, or all of the facilities:

  • are specifically aimed at, or have specific application to, children in the manner of form in which they are provided
  • warrant workers of the organisation watching over or minding children and young people using the facilities.

For example:

  • This might look like an organisation that operates a bowling alley providing a hosted party service to children.
  • This would not look like an organisation that operates a bowling alley for use by families.

What are some examples of organisations that provide this type of service, and will have to comply?

In this context, some examples of commercial services for children includes:

  • entertainment or party services
  • gym or play facilities
  • photography services
  • talent or beauty competitions.

These examples may not capture every organisation under this category but should give you an idea.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 July 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

A club, association or cadet organisation

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Whether or not your organisation will have to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework will depend on the degree to which children and young people are involved.

Under the law, clubs, associations, or cadet organisations that have a significant membership of, or an involvement by, children will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with.
  • The Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires leaders of organisations to:
    • report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker to an independent body, and
    • do investigations.

    This type of organisation must comply if they provide services specifically for children and/or young people OR facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation.

By services specifically for children and/or young people, we mean services and/or programs that are:

  • aimed at children and young people, and/or
  • applied to children and young people in a deliberate way (even if they are infrequent in nature).

For example:

  • This might look like a local youth soccer club.
  • This is unlikely to look like a soccer club whose membership is entirely adults aged 18 and above, but whose members sometimes bring their children along to the members’ training sessions.

By facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation, we mean that some, or all of the facilities:

  • are specifically aimed at, or have specific application to, children in the manner of form in which they are provided
  • warrant workers of the organisation watching over or minding children and young people using the facilities.

For example:

  • This might look like a Scouts club where members meet in a Scouts hall and are under supervision of Scout staff.
  • This would not look like an organisation that rents out their public hall to the Scouts, by doesn't have any role in supervising those using it.

What are some examples of organisations that provide this type of service, and will have to comply?

In this context, some examples of clubs, associations or cadet organisations may include:

  • Army Cadets
  • Girl Guides Australia
  • Professional associations such as school associations
  • Scouts Australia
  • Sports clubs
  • Youth Clubs.

These examples may not capture every organisation under this category but should give you an idea.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 July 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

An organisation that provides disability support services

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Under the law, disability services providers will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with.
  • The Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires leaders of organisations to:
    • report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker to an independent body, and
    • do investigations.

This type of organisation must comply if they provide services specifically for children and/or young people OR facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation.

By services specifically for children and/or young people, we mean services and/or programs that are:

  • aimed at children and young people, and/or
  • applied to children and young people in a deliberate way (even if they are infrequent in nature).

For example:

  • This might look like an organisation that offers group physiotherapy classes specifically for children with a disability.
  • This is unlikely to look like an organisation that offers group physiotherapy classes for people living with additional needs/disability that does not offer tailored support to children.

By facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation, we mean that some, or all of the facilities:

  • are specifically aimed at, or have specific application to, children in the manner of form in which they are provided
  • warrant workers of the organisation watching over or minding children and young people using the facilities.

For example:

  • This might look like an organisation that provides access to assistive technology to children with additional needs/disabilities
  • This is unlikely to look like an organisation that provides loan of assistive technology to children with additional needs/disabilities.

What are some examples of organisations that provide this type of service, and will have to comply?

In this context, some examples of disability services provider includes:

  • accommodation support services
  • an early intervention service
  • community visitor services
  • counselling, support or advocacy services
  • education or training services
  • equipment services
  • home care and family support services
  • independent living training services
  • information services and print disability services
  • in-home community-based services
  • intake and assessment services
  • intermediary services
  • recreation services
  • respite care services
  • therapy services
  • transport services.

It does not mean a relative or friend of a person with disability who provides specialist disability services to the person, or a person or body prescribed by the Disability Services Act 2011.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 January 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

Education services

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Under the law, education services will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with.
  • The Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires leaders of organisations to:
    • report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker to an independent body, and
    • do investigations.

This type of organisation must comply if they provide services specifically for children and/or young people OR facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation.

By services specifically for children and/or young people, we mean services and/or programs that are:

  • aimed at children and young people, and/or
  • applied to children and young people in a deliberate way (even if they are infrequent in nature).

For example:

  • This might look like a host business where apprentices under the age of 18 are placed for employment and training.
  • This is unlikely to look like an organisation that offers educational tours to school groups to tour their facility under the supervision of the school.

By facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation, we mean that some, or all of the facilities:

  • are specifically aimed at, or have specific application to, children in the manner of form in which they are provided
  • warrant workers of the organisation watching over or minding children and young people using the facilities.

What are some examples of organisations that provide this type of service, and will have to comply?

In this context, some examples of educations services include:

  • early learning centres
  • kindergartens
  • primary schools (non-government and government)
  • secondary schools (non-government and government)
  • tuition services for children and young people
  • a government centre, unit or institute that provides educational instruction at any level up to, and including, the final year of secondary education
  • TasTAFE
  • The University of Tasmania
  • a group training organisation
  • a host employer who trains trainees or apprentices
  • a registered training organisation
  • a registered higher education provider
  • approved providers, or organisations that provide an approved service, under the Education and Care Services National Law (Tasmania).

These examples may not capture every organisation under this category but should give you an idea.

What does ‘group training organisation’ mean in this context?

A group training organisation means a person or organisation whose business includes employing trainees or apprentices, or both, under training contracts and placing those trainees or apprentices with host employers.

What does ‘host employer’ mean in this context?

A host employer means an employer that has a written agreement with a group training organisation to train trainees or apprentices, or both, that are employed by that group training organisation.

The host employer does this under a training contract entered by that group training organisation, regardless of whether that training takes place in Tasmania or elsewhere.

What does ‘registered training organisation’ mean in this context?

A registered training organisation means a training organisation listed on the National Register as a registered training organisation in Tasmania.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 January 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

Government House

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

Under the law, Government House will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with.
  • The Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires leaders of organisations to:
    • report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker to an independent body, and
    • do investigations.

    This includes the Governor and their staff.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 January 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

Health services, including organisations that provide counselling services

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

It's very likely your organisation will have to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework, but exactly how will depend on what type of health service your organisation is.

Under the law, the following health services have a greater responsibility for children and young people:

  • a public hospital
  • a private hospital
  • an approved facility under the Mental Health Act 2013
  • Ambulance Tasmania
  • organisations that provide counselling services.

This means they will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with.
  • The Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires leaders of organisations to:
    • report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker to an independent body, and
    • do investigations.

Other health services will have to comply with only the Child and Youth Safe Standards, such as:

  • a residential care service licensed under the Health Service Establishments Act 2006
  • a day-procedure centre licensed under the Health Service Establishments Act 2006
  • non-emergency patient transport services
  • organisations that provide health programs or health services as defined by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Tasmania), which includes:
    • child psychologists
    • speech pathologists
    • naturopaths
    • audiologists
    • community health services
    • health education services
    • masseurs
    • mental health services
    • naturopaths
    • pathology services
    • pharmaceutical services
    • rehabilitation services.

    This type of organisation must comply if they provide services specifically for children and/or young people OR facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation.

By services specifically for children and/or young people, we mean services and/or programs that are:

  • aimed at children and young people, and/or
  • applied to children and young people in a deliberate way (even if they are infrequent in nature).

For example:

  • This might look like a General Practice that treats children and young people.
  • This is unlikely to look like a General Practitioner whose business is limited to offering treatment to older people living in aged care facilities.

By facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation, we mean that some, or all of the facilities:

  • are specifically aimed at, or have specific application to, children in the manner of form in which they are provided
  • warrant workers of the organisation watching over or minding children and young people using the facilities.

For example:

  • This might look like an organisation that offers aides for use by children during rehabilitation programs run by the organisation.
  • This is unlikely to look like an organisation that offers the hire of child-sized crutches.

These examples may not capture every organisation under this category but should give you an idea.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 January 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

Justice and detention services for children

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Under the law, justice and detention services for children will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with.
  • The Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires leaders of organisations to:
    • report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker to an independent body, and
    • do investigations.

In this context, justice and detention services means:

  • an organisation that provides a service specifically for or to a youth, for the purposes of the Youth Justice Act 1997
  • a person admitted to practise law in Australia who provides representation or advice to children.

By contrast, an Australian lawyer who provides representation or advice specifically to children would be likely to have to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Standards only.

This type of organisation must comply if they provide services specifically for children and/or young people OR facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation.

By services specifically for children and/or young people, we mean services and/or programs that are:

  • aimed at children and young people, and/or
  • applied to children and young people in a deliberate way (even if they are infrequent in nature).

For example:

  • This might look like a lawyer who represents a child who is the subject of a family law dispute.
  • This is unlikely to look like a lawyer who visits a school to provide information to the class on how a court proceeding works.

By facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation, we mean that some, or all of the facilities:

  • are specifically aimed at, or have specific application to, children in the manner of form in which they are provided
  • warrant workers of the organisation watching over or minding children and young people using the facilities.

For example:

  • This might look like an organisation that provides a youth justice court.
  • This is unlikely to look like an organisation that donates sports equipment for youth detained under the Youth Justice Act 1997.

These examples may not capture every organisation under this category but should give you an idea.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 January 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

A Local Council

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Under the law, Tasmanian Local Government Associations will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with.
  • The Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires leaders of organisations to:
    • report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker to an independent body, and
    • do investigations.

This type of organisation must comply if they provide services specifically for children and/or young people OR facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation.

By services specifically for children and/or young people, we mean services and/or programs that are:

  • aimed at children and young people, and/or
  • applied to children and young people in a deliberate way (even if they are infrequent in nature).

For example:

  • This might look like a Council operating a childcare facility.
  • This is unlikely to look like a Council holding a market for the community, in which families attend with their children.

By facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation, we mean that some, or all of the facilities:

  • are specifically aimed at, or have specific application to, children in the manner of form in which they are provided
  • warrant workers of the organisation watching over or minding children and young people using the facilities.

For example:

  • This might look like a Council providing swimming lessons for children at the Council’s pool.
  • This is unlikely to look like the Council providing a pool for public use where children can attend under supervision of a guardian.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 January 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

A Neighbourhood House

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Under the law, Neighbourhood Houses will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with.

This type of organisation must comply if they provide services specifically for children and/or young people OR facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation.

By services specifically for children and/or young people, we mean services and/or programs that are:

  • aimed at children and young people, and/or
  • applied to children and young people in a deliberate way (even if they are infrequent in nature).

For example:

  • This might look like a Neighbourhood House that offers driving lessons to teenagers.
  • This is unlikely to look like a Neighbourhood House that runs an op-shop which sells toys.

By facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation, we mean that some, or all of the facilities:

  • are specifically aimed at, or have specific application to, children in the manner of form in which they are provided
  • warrant workers of the organisation watching over or minding children and young people using the facilities.

For example:

  • This might look like a Neighbourhood House that offers a community garden and hosts events for children to learn about gardening.
  • This is unlikely to look like a Neighbourhood House that offers room hire for public events, including events for children.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 July 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

Part of the Tasmanian Government, including government departments and state authorities

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Under the law, the Tasmanian Government will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with.
  • The Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires leaders of organisations to:
    • report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker to an independent body, and
    • do investigations.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 January 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

Tasmanian Parliament

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Under the law, the Tasmanian Parliament will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with.
  • The Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires leaders of organisations to:
    • report concerns about conduct related to child abuse involving a worker to an independent body, and
    • do investigations.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 January 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

Transport services for children

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

What does the new law say about whether these types of services have to comply?

Under the law, transport services for children will have to comply with:

  • The Child and Youth Safe Standards, which are a list of things organisations must do to protect the wellbeing and safety of children they come into contact with.

In this context, transport services for children means an organisation that provides a transport service specifically for children, whether through government funding or on a commercial basis.

It’s important to note the word specifically.

A transport services specifically for children means one that is particularly for use by children, such as a school bus.

This type of organisation must comply if they provide services specifically for children and/or young people OR facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation.

By services specifically for children and/or young people, we mean services and/or programs that are:

  • aimed at children and young people, and/or
  • applied to children and young people in a deliberate way (even if they are infrequent in nature).

For example:

  • This might look like an organisation providing a school bus service.
  • This is unlikely to look like an organisation that provides a bus service to the public, which might include children.

By facilities specifically for use by children/and or young people who are under the supervision of the organisation, we mean that some, or all of the facilities:

  • are specifically aimed at, or have specific application to, children in the manner of form in which they are provided
  • warrant workers of the organisation watching over or minding children and young people using the facilities.

For example:

  • This might look like an organisation that provides a bus fitted with car seats, including a bus driver, for use by a childcare facility taking its children on an excursion.
  • This is unlikely to look like an organisation that provides unsupervised bus shelters.

If you are not sure if your organisation fits under this category, email us via cysof@justice.tas.gov.au.

When will this type of organisation have to start complying with the new law?

1 July 2024.

What should I do to get ready?

What should I do if I'm still not sure if my organisation fits under this type of service?

You can:

Something that isn’t in this list

“Systems alone don’t protect children. Individuals, working collectively towards the goal of keeping children safe, can."

— Victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in a Tasmanian institution.

All Tasmanian organisations should strive to be safe for children and young people.

Even if your organisation isn’t legally compelled to follow the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework, we encourage you to:

What should I do if I still have questions?

If you’ve looked at all the links in the bullet list above and still have questions, email us via cysof@justice.tas.gov.au.

Useful questions and answers:

What if only a small part of my organisation works with children, do I have to change the way we do things in the other areas that don’t work with children?

If your organisation is required to comply with the Framework, then the whole organisation is required to comply.

But changes needed to the part of your organisation that works with children may be different to the changes needed to other parts of your organisation that don’t work with children.

For example, if your organisation is required to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Standards, then how the Standards are enacted may be different across different business areas.

What if my organisation only sporadically provides services to children and young people?

Organisations that meet the legal threshold for providing services to children and young people under the Framework are required to comply even if these services are irregular in nature.

Seeking help?

We encourage anyone affected by, or with concerns about, child sexual abuse or other types of child abuse to access advice and support.

National:

  • For domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling and support, contact
    1800RESPECT:
    • Phone: 1800 737 732
  • For short-term support if you are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe, contact Lifeline:
    • Phone: 13 11 14
  • For free professional phone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide living in Australia, contact Suicide Call Back Service:
    • Phone: 1300 659 467
  • For information and support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention for everyone in Australia, contact Beyond Blue:
    • Phone: 1300 224 636
  • For information and support for anyone who is affected by complex trauma, contact
    Blue Knot Foundation:
    • Phone: 1300 657 380
  • For counselling and support for Australian men, contact MensLine Australia:
    • Phone: 1300 789 978
  • For advice for men about family violence, contact Men's Referral Service:
    • Phone: 1300 766 491
    For free 24/7, confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years, contact Kids Helpline:
    • Phone: 1800 55 1800

Tasmania:

  • For information about child wellbeing and safety, contact
    Strong Families, Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line:
    • Phone: 1800 000 123
  • For free and confidential support for people who have been affected by sexual violence, contact the Tasmanian Sexual Assault Support Line (24 hour response state-wide):
    • Phone: 1800 697 877
    This line is run by the Sexual Assault Support Service in the South, and Laurel House in the North West.
  • For information and support for children, young people and adults affected by family violence, contact
    Family Violence Counselling and Support Service:
    • Phone: 1800 608 122
  • For free and confidential support for people impacted by crime, contact
    Victims of Crime Service:
    • Phone: 1300 300 238
  • For support for relationships and to live positive lives, contact
    Relationships Australia Tasmania:
    • Phone: 1300 364 277
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Last updated: 7 August 2023