A reportable conduct scheme makes the head of an organisation notify an independent body about allegations of child abuse or misconduct against its workers and volunteers, investigate, and report the outcome. It sits on top of the National Law notifications to the regulatory authority. For childcare approved providers the three largest schemes are: NSW, notify the Office of the Children’s Guardian within 7 business days, with an interim report if the investigation is not finished within 30 days; Victoria, notify the Social Services Regulator (which took over from the Commission for Children and Young People in February 2026) within 3 business days, with an update within 30 days; Queensland, where the scheme started for early childhood services on 1 July 2026, notify the Queensland Family and Child Commission within 3 business days, with an interim report within 30 business days.
What the reportable conduct schemes in NSW, Victoria and Queensland require of childcare approved providers: who to notify, by when, and how it fits with National Law notifications.
| NSW | Victoria | Queensland | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who you notify | Office of the Children’s Guardian | Social Services Regulator (since February 2026; previously the Commission for Children and Young People) | Queensland Family and Child Commission |
| Law | Children’s Guardian Act 2019 | See the Social Services Regulator’s page | Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 |
| Who carries the duty | The head of the relevant entity, for example the approved provider | The head of the organisation | The head of the reporting entity |
| First notification | Within 7 business days of becoming aware of a reportable allegation or conviction | Within 3 business days of becoming aware of a reportable allegation | Within 3 business days of becoming aware of a reportable allegation or conviction |
| Follow-up | An interim report if the investigation or determination is not complete within 30 days; then an entity report when it is | An update with certain information within 30 days; then information once the investigation has concluded | An interim report within 30 business days; a final report when the investigation is complete |
| Childcare coverage | Approved providers are relevant entities (NSW Department of Education) | Long day and occasional care providers, kindergartens and OSHC providers | Approved providers under the National Law (Queensland) and the Education and Care Services Act 2013, from 1 July 2026; child-minding such as babysitting, nanny or in-home care is not covered |
Each state defines it in its own Act. Victoria’s regulator lists five types: sexual offences, sexual misconduct, physical violence, behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm, and significant neglect. The NSW and Queensland definitions are set out in their Acts and in the fact sheets on the pages linked above. All three schemes are allegation-based: you notify when an allegation is made, not when it is proven.
A reportable conduct matter can also be inappropriate conduct under section 166A of the National Law and can lead to a prohibition notice. Your child safe environment policy and complaints policy should say who the head of the organisation is for these schemes and who acts when that person is away.
Ask WIDEN Law in your own words, for example whether an allegation must also be notified to the regulatory authority, and by when, and get an answer cited to the National Law or Regulations so you can check the source. 14-day free trial, no card.
Start the 14-day free trial, no card →Western Australia’s scheme, run by the Ombudsman, also covers early childhood education and care services. For other jurisdictions, check with your regulatory authority. State child safe standards are covered in child safe standards by state, and reporting by individuals in mandatory reporting by state.
Yes in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. In Queensland it applies to approved providers from 1 July 2026. Western Australia's scheme also covers early childhood education and care services.
In NSW, within 7 business days to the Office of the Children's Guardian. In Victoria, within 3 business days to the Social Services Regulator. In Queensland, within 3 business days to the Queensland Family and Child Commission.
The Social Services Regulator. Responsibility moved from the Commission for Children and Young People in February 2026.
No. Reportable conduct schemes are state laws that sit alongside the National Law. A matter may need to be notified under both, to different bodies and on different deadlines.
WIDEN Law answers National Quality Framework questions with inline citations to the National Law, the Regulations and the NQS, so you can check the source provision yourself.
14-day free trial, no card →This page is a research summary, not legal or compliance advice. It is written in our own words from the sources linked on the page; confirm the position with your regulatory authority before relying on it for a compliance decision.