Reporting child abuse and neglect

Information for service providers

Content type
Resource sheet
Published

August 2023

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If you believe a child is in immediate danger call the Police on 000.

If you require assistance or if you would like to talk to a trained professional about the issues described in this resource sheet, please call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14 (in Australia).

Overview

This resource sheet provides information to service providers and practitioners working in the child, family and community welfare sector on how to report suspected child abuse and neglect. It defines child abuse and neglect and provides contact details for the reporting authority in each state and territory.

Introduction

Introduction

In Australia, state and territory governments are responsible for receiving reports of suspected child abuse and neglect from members of the public, practitioners and service providers. Reporting child abuse and neglect is a community-wide responsibility. Anyone who suspects, on reasonable grounds, that a child1 is at risk of being abused and/or neglected should report it to the reporting authority in their state or territory.

In Australia, each state and territory has its own mandatory reporting law that specifies who is required to report known or suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to government authorities. In the Northern Territory, it is mandatory for any person to report any suspicion of abuse or neglect of a child to government authorities.2 In all other states and territories, certain groups of people (e.g. teachers, doctors, nurses, police and early childhood educators) are required by law to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect. Further information and guidelines regarding mandatory reporting can be found in the CFCA Resource Sheet Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect.

If a child has disclosed abuse or neglect to you, it is important to stay calm and listen to them with empathy and your full attention. Also reassure them that they have done the right thing disclosing the abuse or neglect and that you will help them to be safe by telling someone else who will be able to help (e.g. police or child protection).

Parents and other family members may disclose to practitioners concerns that they are not coping with their parenting responsibilities. Listening and providing support and practical help is important, while assessing whether there is a child at risk of abuse or neglect.

1 According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, a child is defined as any human under the age of 18 years (United Nations, 1989).

2 Under Northern Territory law it is also mandatory to report domestic and family violence to police.

Defining child abuse and neglect

Defining child abuse and neglect

Child abuse and neglect refer to any behaviour or treatment by parents, caregivers, other adults or older adolescents that results in the likelihood of and/or actual physical or emotional harm to a child or young person. Such behaviours may be intentional or unintentional and can include acts of omission (i.e. neglect) and commission (i.e. abuse) (CFCA, 2018). Child abuse and neglect can be face to face or online.

Child abuse and neglect is commonly divided into five subtypes:

  • physical abuse
  • emotional or psychological abuse
  • neglect
  • sexual abuse or exploitation
  • exposure to family violence.

For further information, see the CFCA Resource Sheet What is Child Abuse and Neglect?

Contact details for each state and territory

Contact details for each state and territory

The tables below include the contact details of the reporting authority in each Australian state and territory.

Please note that you do not need to be absolutely certain that there has been abuse or neglect of a child or young person to contact these authorities. If you suspect a child is at risk of harm, you should call the authority to discuss your concerns, and they will decide whether an investigation is required.

In each state and territory, all serious concerns should be reported by phone rather than online or via email. Serious concerns include when you suspect a child or young person is in imminent or immediate danger of serious harm, serious injury or chronic neglect.

LocationReporting authorityFurther services/informationContact details
ACTChild and Youth Protection Services (CYPS)

Child and Youth Protection Services are responsible for coordinating the care and protection of children and young people believed to be at risk of harm in the Australian Capital Territory.

For further information on mandatory reporting of concerns of child abuse or neglect, refer to Keeping Children and Young People Safe

Phone:       
If you believe a child is in immediate danger, contact the Police on 000. For concerns related to abuse outside of a family context, contact ACT Policing on 131 444.

If you suspect a child is at risk of abuse or neglect by a family member or guardian, contact Child and Youth Protection Services on 1300 556 729 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or

 

Online:       
Complete an online child concern report

NSWDepartment of Communities and JusticeThe Department of Communities and Justice is responsible for handling reports of child abuse and neglect in New South Wales. Information about reporting child welfare concerns can be found on the department’s Reporting a Child at Risk webpage. For information about mandatory reporting, refer to the Mandatory Reporters webpage.

Phone:       
If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect, call the Child Protection Helpline on 13 21 11 (24 hours, 7 days a week).

 

Online:       
Mandatory reporters can also use eReporting.

NTDepartment of Territory Families, Housing and CommunitiesIn the Northern Territory, every person is required to report suspected child abuse and neglect. For further information about the process of reporting concerns about a child's welfare in the Northern Territory, refer to the Report Child Abuse webpage.

Phone:       
In an emergency, call Police on 000. If it’s not an emergency, call Police on 131 444. Report suspected child abuse to the Child Protection Hotline on 1800 700 250 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

Online:       
Members of the public and professionals can submit a report online.

Qld.Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability ServicesChild Safety Services is the lead child protection agency in Queensland. For information about the process of reporting concerns about a child's welfare in Queensland, refer to the Protecting Children webpage. For more information about mandatory reporting, refer to the Mandatory Reporting in Queensland webpage.

Phone:       
If you believe a child is in immediate danger or a life-threatening situation call 000. If you suspect a child is experiencing harm, or is at risk of experiencing harm, or being neglected, contact your local Regional Intake Services (during business hours) or call the Child Safety Services’ Enquires Unit: 1800 811 810. For after hours and weekends, contact the Child Safety After Hours Service Centre on 1800 177 135 (24 hours, 7 days a week).

 

Online:       
Professionals working in government and non-government agencies can also use this form.

SADepartment for Child ProtectionThe Department for Child Protection works to keep South Australia's children safe by protecting them from abuse and neglect. For information about the process of reporting concerns about a child's welfare in South Australia as a member of the public, refer to the Reporting child abuse webpage. For more information about mandatory reporting, refer to Mandated Notifiers and Their Role and Preparing to Report Child Abuse.

Phone:       
In an emergency, call 000. If you have a reasonable suspicion that the child or young person is, or may be, at risk of harm, call the Child Abuse Report Line 13 14 78 (24 hours, 7 days a week).

 

Online:       
For mandatory reporters, less serious concerns can be reported online.

Tas.Department for Education, Children and Young PeopleThe Child Safety Service in the Department of Education, Children and Young People works to protect children and young people who are at risk of abuse and neglect in Tasmania. For information about the process of reporting concerns about a child's welfare in Tasmania, refer to the department’s Child Safety Service webpage. For information about mandatory reporting and making a notification refer to the Reporting Concerns webpage.

Phone:       
If a child is at immediate risk, call 000. If you have concerns for the safety or welfare of a child, call the Child Safety Service on       
1800 000 123 (24 hours).

It is preferred that all contacts are made by phone; however, an online contact form is available.

Vic.Department of Families, Fairness and HousingThe Child Protection Service is specifically targeted to help children and young people at risk of significant harm in Victoria. For information about child protection and mandatory reporting requirements in Victoria, refer to the department’s Child Protection webpage. For information about mandatory reporting, refer to the department’s Mandatory Reporting webpage.

Phone:        
For life threatening concerns, call 000.        
If you have concerns that a child is at risk of significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect, contact the service that covers the area where the child lives. Their business hours are 8:45 am – 5:00 pm (Mon–Fri): North Division Intake – 1300 664 977 South Division Intake – 1300 655 795 East Division Intake – 1300 360 391 West Division Intake – rural and regional only – 1800 075 599 West Division Intake – metropolitan only – 1300 664 977.        
For after hours assistance contact: After Hours Child Protection Emergency Service 13 12 78 (5:00 pm – 9:00 am Mon–Fri, 24 hours on weekends and public holidays).

If you have a significant concern for the wellbeing of a child but do not believe they are at risk of significant harm and the immediate safety of the child will not be compromised, contact The Orange Door

WADepartment of CommunitiesThe Department of Communities offers a range of services to support children and families in Western Australia. For further information about the process of reporting concerns about a child's welfare, refer to the department’s Child Protection webpage. For information about mandatory reporting in Western Australia refer to the department's mandatory reporting information webpage.

Phone:       
For life-threatening concerns, call 000. If you are concerned about a child’s wellbeing, contact the Central Intake Team1800 273 889 After hours Crisis Care 1800 199 008, text on 0477 131 114

 

Online:       
Professionals can report a concern about a child using this form. Mandatory reporters with less serious concerns can use the department's secure Mandatory Reporting Web System.

Further AIFS resources

Further AIFS resources

References

References

  • Child Family Community Australia (CFCA). (2018). What is child abuse and neglect (CFCA Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies. Retrieved from aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/what-child-abuse-and-neglect
  • United Nations. (1989). Convention on the Rights of the Child. Treaty Series, 1577. Geneva: United Nations.
Acknowledgements

This resource sheet was updated by Dr Mandy Truong, Research Fellow with the Child Family Community Australia information exchange at the Australian Institute of Family Studies.

The feature image is by Jessica, CC BY-NC 2.0.

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