A new set of National Principles will be introduced to ensure Australian organisations take appropriate steps to keep children in their care safe from harm and wrongdoing.

The Australian Government and its state and territory counterparts have unanimously endorsed the new national approach, which is part of the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations will help institutions around the country develop and maintain cultures and practices that prevent harm to children and young people.

The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations are:

1. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
2. Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
3. Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
5. People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
6. Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
7. Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
8. Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
9. Implementation of the national child safe principles is regularly reviewed and improved.
10. Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

The National Office for Child Safety will work with governments and non-government sectors to promote the National Principles and to support their implementation across all sectors.

For more information as well as resources to support the implementation of the National Principles, visit the National Office for Child Safety