State requirements:
Australian Capital Territory
Child Protection Training
In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Child Protection Training involves comprehending legislation like the Children and Young People Act 2008. Essential elements encompass recognising signs of abuse, fulfilling mandatory reporting duties, and implementing intervention strategies. Professionals in certain roles undertake mandatory training to ensure the safety and well-being of children.
ACT Mandatory Reporter Requirements
- Persons in day-to-day charge and nominated supervisors required by law to complete a child protection course. It is best practice to complete CHCPRT025 OR CHCPRT026 for those persons in charge. At a minimum, all staff are required to complete refresher child protection training.
- All staff who work with children in an education and care service must be aware of child protection laws and reporting relevant to their state.
- It is best practice to complete refresher training for all staff every 12 months.
Who is a Mandated Reporter in ACT?
The following are mandatory reporters in ACT:
- Doctors
- Dentists
- Nurses
- An Enrolled Nurse
- Midwifes
- Psychologists
- Teachers
- A person authorised to inspect education programs, materials or other records used for home education of a child or young person under the Education Act 2004
- A police officer
- A person employed to counsel children or young people at a school
- A person caring for a child at a child care centre
- A person coordinating or monitoring home-based care for a family day care scheme proprietor
- A public servant who, in the course of employment as a public servant, works with, or provides services personally to children and young people or families
- The public advocate
- An official visitor
- A minister of religion, religious leader or member of the clergy of a church or religious denomination
- A person who, in the course of the person’s employment, has contact with or provides services to children, young people and their families and is prescribed by regulation
ACT Legislation
Section 356 (1)- Chlidren and Young People Act 2008 –
Offence—mandatory reporting of abuse
(1)A person commits an offence if—
(a)the person is a mandated reporter; and(b)the person is an adult; and
(c)the person believes on reasonable grounds that a child or young person has
experienced, or is experiencing—
(i)sexual abuse; or
(ii)non-accidental physical injury; and
Section 162A – Education and Care Services National Law Act:
- 162A The approved provider of an education and care service must ensure that each nominated supervisor and each person in day-to-day charge of the service has successfully completed the child protection training (if any) required by or under the law of this jurisdiction, a Government protocol applying to the approved provider in this jurisdiction or otherwise required by this jurisdiction. Persons in day-to-day charge and nominated supervisors to have child protection training
Section 167 in the Education and Care Services National Law Act:
- The approved provider/nominated supervisor/family day care educator of an education and care service must ensure that every reasonable precaution is taken to protect children being educated and cared for by the service from harm and from any hazard likely to cause injury.
Regulation 84 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations:
- The approved provider of an education and care service must ensure that nominated supervisors and staff members at the service who work with children are advised of—
(a) the existence and application of the current child protection law; and
(b) any obligations that they may have under that law.
EPEC Education provides the following approved courses to help you meet these requirements:
- CHCPRT025 – Identify and report children and young people at risk
- CHCPRT026 – Support the rights and safety of children and young people
This training will also help you meet the National Quality Standard:
EPEC Education offers a Short Online Refresher course which you can see by clicking on the below:
- Short Online Refresher Course
ACT Training Recommendations
EPEC Education recommends that mandated reporters complete one or all of the below units, to meet their obligations:
- CHCPRT025 – Identify and report children and young people at risk
CHCPRT026 – Support the rights and safety of children and young people
Once this training is completed, we recommend yearly refresher training through our Online Short Courses, to stay current and up to date with reporting obligations.
We recommend that all people working with children, even if they are not mandated to report, complete at least one short course focusing on child protection each year.
We currently offer:
- Child Protection Short Online Refresher
- Fundamentals of Supervision
