From 1st July 2017, childhood education and care professionals are mandated by law to report concerns to the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (DCCSDS) if they form a reasonable suspicion that a child has suffered, is suffering or is at an unacceptable risk of suffering significant harm caused by physical or sexual abuse, and may not have a parent able and willing to protect them. This includes staff from family day care, kindergarten, limited-hours care, long day care and after-school hours care. Individuals who are volunteers or under 18 years of age are not mandatory reporters. The DCCSDS website has online training resources with more information for those who were not able to attend training before 1st July.
