The Queensland Government is delivering the strongest child protection system in the nation to help keep Queensland children safe by fast-tracking requirements for the early childhood sector to investigate and report suspicious conduct to deliver stronger protections for Queensland children.

The Reportable Conduct Scheme – a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse back in 2017 – is due to commence from 1 July 2026, with implementation over three stages from mid-2026 to mid-2027.

The Queensland Government is accelerating timeframes to require the early childhood sector to comply with the Reportable Conduct Scheme as soon as possible, from 1 July 2026, and boost protection for Queensland children.

Amendments will be brought to the Queensland Parliament in coming months to give effect to this change.

The scheme requires organisations to report and investigate concerns regarding the conduct of staff and volunteers in relation to their work with children.

Reportable conduct ranges from ill-treatment or significant neglect of a child, through to physical harm and sexual offences.

Where there are concerns that the alleged conduct may constitute a criminal offence, the organisation must also promptly report the matter to the police.

The scheme will prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children by holding organisations accountable when concerns are raised regarding the behaviour of their employees, contractors, or volunteers.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said the changes would deliver the protections needed to keep young Queensland children safe.

“We are acting now, based on interim findings in our Blue Card Review, and we’ll continue to deliver the strongest protections in the nation for children,” the Attorney-General said.

“All options are on the table, and we’ll be looking closely at the recommendations from both the Blue Card review and the Child Safety Commission of Inquiry.”

Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek said the Queensland Government had delivered an additional $12.7 million for Queensland’s Regulatory Authority in the 2025-26 Budget.

“The safety of kids is our utmost priority at all times and that’s why we’ve bolstered the Regulatory Authority with more officers to conduct more checks on more early childcare centres,” Minister Langbroek said.

“Fast-tracking requirements through the Reportable Conduct Scheme will deliver stronger protections for children and it works hand-in-hand with our recent announcement to implement nation-leading child safety training for all early childcare workers.

“We have to get this right and we will be working closely with the sector to ensure all the measures are successfully implemented to deliver real long-term safety improvements.”

Minister for Child Safety, Amanda Camm said parents should feel their children are safe from predators and other dangers when dropping them off at day care.