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The Department of Communities has a 'Child Safety is everyone's business' page with child safe resources for organisations, families and young people, including how organisations can prioritise the safety of children. The 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations are not yet embedded into legislation for WA, but the WA Government has committed to introducing a Child Safe Standards Scheme with Ombudsman WA leading its design.

The Social Services Regulator (SSR) has published its second annual report, covering the 2025–26 financial year. The report highlights the SSR's progress following the Rapid Child Safety Review, with an expansion of the SSR's remit to include delivering the Working with Children Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check, the Reportable Conduct Scheme and taking a greater role in upholding the Child Safe Standards.

Anyone who starts an online Working with Children Check application but doesn't complete it, including verifying their identity, before Monday 19 October 2026 may have their application deleted. They will then need to start a new application and complete the mandatory child safety training.

From 19 October 2026, organisations that engage people in child-related work must keep records of each worker's name, contact details, evidence of verification, and start and end dates for at least seven years after they stop engaging them. Clubs access WWC Connect with a Service Victoria account and business profile, and can add delegates and use bulk upload.

The Social Services Regulator's FAQs for mandatory Working with Children child safety training starting on 19 October 2026 confirm that completing national child safety training does not exempt anyone from the Victorian training. Once someone finishes the training they have 30 days to submit their application, or they must do it again. The training will be made available online in coming weeks to current clearance holders who are not yet due to renew.

From 1 October 2026, guidance and resources on the Child Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme will move from the Commission for Children and Young People website to the Social Services Regulator website. Legal obligations will not change, but clubs should review links to Commission information in their websites, policies and other materials and update them where required. Clubs should continue to contact the SSR about both schemes.

Changes to WA's Working with Children Check laws are now in effect, so if a person receives an adverse WWC Check decision in another Australian state or territory, that decision is also recognised in WA. There is no transition period, and all pending applicants and card holders are covered from 17 September 2026. If an organisation becomes aware that an employee, volunteer or student is subject to an adverse interstate WWC decision, they must immediately take steps to ensure the person does not continue engaging in child-related work, including those accessing the child or parent volunteer exemption.

Queensland has established a new Child and Youth Protection Commission to centralise child safeguarding oversight across the state. The Commission will coordinate child protection efforts and strengthen safeguarding systems across all sectors, including sporting organisations. This follows recommendations from recent inquiries into child safety in Queensland.

The eSafety Commissioner has released resources and guidance for National Child Protection Week 2026, focusing on online safety for children and young people. Sporting clubs can access toolkits, safety guides and educational resources to help protect young participants from online risks including cyberbullying, inappropriate content and abuse. The resources are available on the eSafety Commissioner website.

Australian attorneys-general have agreed to national reforms strengthening working with children checks. The changes will introduce new disqualifying offences and improve information sharing between states and territories. Sporting clubs should expect updates to their state or territory WWCC scheme over the coming months.

The eSafety Commissioner and Sport Integrity Australia have strengthened their partnership to address online abuse in sport. The collaboration focuses on protecting athletes, particularly children and young people, from online harassment and abuse. Sporting clubs may see new guidance and resources emerge from this partnership to help manage online safety risks.

Queensland organisations including sporting clubs are being urged to prepare for the new Reportable Conduct Scheme ahead of its commencement. The scheme will require certain organisations to report and respond to allegations of child abuse and misconduct involving children. Sporting clubs should review their policies and procedures now to ensure they are ready for the new reporting obligations.

From 1 April 2026, all sport and recreation organisations in Queensland that work with children must be able to demonstrate compliance with the Child Safe Standards. If your club operates in QLD and has not completed a compliance review, this should be a priority. Contact Sport Queensland for guidance.