For services

Service providers that receive funding from our department to deliver services or spaces specifically for children need to be child safe.

Compliance timeframes

The legislative requirements come into effect at different stages depending on the type of services your organisation provides. The Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) website outlines the compliance commencement date for each sector. If your organisation delivers services across multiple sectors, your organisation is required to commence compliance from the earliest sector commencement date. For example, if your organisation delivers child protection services (phase one) and community services (phase two), your whole organisation is required to comply with the Child Safe Standards and Universal Principle from phase one on 1 October 2025.

Aligning with the Human Services Quality Framework (HSQF)

Service providers that are required to show alignment with the HSQF by way of certification or self‑assessment will have their compliance with the Child Safe Standards and Universal Principle monitored as part of their certification and recertification audits, or the HSQF self‑assessment process.

Service providers that are not required to show alignment with HSQF should complete the QFCC’s self‑assessment. Section 16 of the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 allows the QFCC to ‘direct the head of a child safety entity to conduct a self‑assessment of the entity’s implementation of, and compliance with, the Child Safe Standards and Universal Principle’. If an organisation is directed to complete a self‑assessment, the QFCC will assess the self‑assessment and may give the organisation feedback or issue compliance notices if the Child Safe Standards are not being met.

For more information, visit www.families.qld.gov.au/our-work/human-services-quality-framework.

Our considerations

When considering the placement of a child with another entity under section 82(1)(f) of the Child Protection Act 1999, our department will consider the entity’s compliance with Child Safe Standards and the Universal Principle as part of the safety and suitability of the premises assessment.

More information

The QFCC’s website has a wide variety of information, including training programs, resources and frequently asked questions. For questions relating to compliance, or to report alleged non‑compliance with the Child Safe Standards or Universal Principle, please email enquiries@qfcc.qld.gov.au.

If your organisation has queries about the implementation of the Child Safe Standards and Universal Principle, please contact your Contract Officer or email childsafeNGOs@families.qld.gov.au.