Lead the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework
The Commonwealth Child Safe Framework sets minimum standards for creating and maintaining child safe culture and practices in Australian Government entities.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (the Royal Commission) investigated child sexual abuse in institutions, how these institutions responded, and what makes an institution or organisation safe for children and young people. The Royal Commission found that organisations need to provide an environment where children feel (and are) safe, protected and respected. Organisations also need to make sure staff and volunteers have the skills, confidence and knowledge to keep children safe.
In response to the Royal Commission’s findings, in 2019 the Australian Government introduced the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework (the Framework). The Framework is a whole-of-government policy that sets minimum standards for Australian Government entities to create and maintain behaviours and practices that are safe for children.
The Framework is mandatory for all Commonwealth non-corporate entities and strongly encouraged for all other Commonwealth entities, including corporate Commonwealth entities and Commonwealth companies. Accountable Authorities of Commonwealth entities are responsible for the implementation of the Framework within their respective entity.
Note: The Framework applies to Commonwealth entities only. Non‑government organisations, including those receiving funding from a Commonwealth entity, are not required to implement the Framework. For information on statements of compliance that may be required for funded third parties, see Application to funded third parties.
Assess your progress towards implementing the Framework using our Implementation self-assessment checklist.
Core requirements under the Framework for Commonwealth entities
There are four core requirements under the Framework. These requirements are also set out in detail in the Framework policy document.
Requirement 1 – Risk assessments
Undertake risk assessments annually in relation to activities of the entity, to identify the level of responsibility for, and contact with, children, evaluate risks to child safety, and put in place appropriate strategies to manage identified risks.
Requirement 2 – Training and compliance
Establish and maintain a system of training and compliance, to make staff aware of, and compliant with, the Framework and relevant legislation, including Working with Children Checks / Working with Vulnerable People Checks and mandatory reporting requirements.
Requirement 3 – National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
Adopt and implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Requirement 4 – Annual reporting
Publish an annual statement of compliance with the Framework including an overview of the entity’s child safety risk assessment (conducted under Requirement 1).