Skip to main content

Our child safe reporting process

Link copied

Understand how we respond to child safety concerns raised by children, parents, community members, or employees.

mdi alert Red

If a child is in immediate danger, call emergency services on 000.

Community safety is Council’s priority and this includes the safety of our children.

Council applies a proactive and consistent approach to child safety. This ensures the safety and wellbeing of children is embedded across everything we do, from governance to daily operations.

New Queensland Government legislation has established a new, strengthened statewide framework. This supports the safety of children when they interact with organisations, including councils.  

Guided by the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld), Council has updated and created new processes and policies to support enhancing children’s safety.

About child safety legislation

The Queensland Government’s Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld) aims to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children when they interact with organisations such as councils, community services and other public-facing organisations.

From October 2025, organisations that work with children must:

  • adopt 10 Child Safe Standards
  • embed child safety in everyday operations, leadership and culture
  • create safer physical and online environments
  • respond appropriately to concerns or incidents.

A Reportable Conduct Scheme, commencing from July 2026, also requires organisations to report and investigate allegations involving staff or volunteers.

This legislation is overseen by the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC). For more information or questions about the legislation, contact QFCC.

Who can report and what can be reported

Who can report child safety concerns?

  • Parent or carer
  • Child
  • Community member
  • Council employees, including volunteers and councillors

What can be reported?

Child safety concerns, including:

  • disclosure of abuse or harm
  • allegation, suspicion or observation
  • breach of the child safe code of conduct
  • general safety or environmental concerns.

How to report child safety concerns

Parents, carers, children and community members can make a report in person, by phone, email, or letter.

To report a concern, you can:

  • phone Council on 07 3403 8888
  • complete our online form
  • write to:
    Brisbane City Council 

    GPO Box 1434 

    Brisbane Qld 4001.
information outline

Note

If you’re not satisfied with how Council has responded to a reportable allegation, you can make a complaint to the QFCC.

What Council is doing

We’re continuing to strengthen our approach to child safety across all areas of Council.

  • Embedding child safety into Council policies, leadership and decision-making.
  • Promoting clear expectations that child safety is everyone’s responsibility.

  • Making it easier for children to have a voice and be heard.

  • Working with parents, carers and local organisations as partners in child safety.
  • Ensuring information is clear, accessible and easy to understand.

  • Conducting screening and background checks for relevant roles.
  • Providing ongoing training for staff and volunteers.
  • Maintaining clear codes of conduct.

  • Managing risks in both physical spaces and online environments.
  • Designing programs and facilities with child safety in mind.

  • Strengthening processes to report, investigate and respond to concerns while adhering to QFCC's Reportable Conduct Scheme requirements.
  • Continuously reviewing and improving our practices.

Council’s supporting policies and procedures

Online resources and support services

  • eSafety Commissioner: Australia’s independent regulator for online safety where you can report harm caused by serious online abuse or illegal and restricted online content.
  • Think You Know: A nationally recognised education program providing online safety information for children and young people.
  • Playing IT safe: Information to support parents, carers and educators to start the conversation about online safety with children and young people.
     

Online training programs

Child Safety Services (Queensland Government)

 

Children’s Health Queensland

 

Family and Child Connect

 

Kids Helpline (ages 5–25) (free, confidential counselling for children and young people)

 

Lifeline (crisis support)

 

1800RESPECT (family and sexual violence support)

 

Headspace