Queensland’s Reportable Conduct Scheme Has Arrived – Is Your Organisation Ready?
Queensland’s Reportable Conduct Scheme introduces important new responsibilities for organisations that work with children. For schools, childcare providers, disability services, sporting clubs, churches and community organisations, the way serious allegations are handled now matters more than ever.
On 1 July 2026, Queensland’s Reportable Conduct Scheme commenced, creating a formal framework for how certain organisations must respond to allegations involving workers, volunteers, contractors or others engaged by the organisation.
The Scheme is designed to strengthen child safety by ensuring that allegations of reportable conduct are identified, reported where required, investigated properly and managed in a transparent and accountable way.
This is not just another HR process.
Reportable conduct matters require a careful balance between child safety, evidence preservation, procedural fairness, natural justice and regulatory accountability.
What Is the Reportable Conduct Scheme?
The Reportable Conduct Scheme is a child safety framework that applies to certain organisations that provide services to children or have workers in child-related roles.
It requires organisations to have systems for responding to allegations or convictions involving reportable conduct. This includes identifying risk, preserving evidence, notifying the appropriate body where required, conducting an investigation and making findings based on evidence.
What Types of Organisations May Be Affected?
Schools
State, Catholic and independent schools.
Childcare
Early learning, kindergarten, childcare and OSHC services.
Disability Services
Providers supporting children and young people with disability.
Sporting Clubs
Junior sport, associations and child-facing community sport.
Churches
Faith-based organisations, youth programs and ministries.
Community Services
Youth, health, welfare and family support organisations.
Why Organisations Need to Be Careful
When an allegation is made, organisations often face pressure to act quickly. Acting quickly is important, but acting properly is just as important.
Poorly managed investigations can create serious problems, including lost evidence, unfair process, damaged witness reliability, conflicts of interest and findings that cannot withstand scrutiny.
Evidence Preservation
CCTV, rosters, emails, messages, policies and incident records should be identified early.
Procedural Fairness
The respondent must be given a fair opportunity to understand and respond to the allegation.
Child Safety
Immediate risk must be considered while avoiding assumptions before the evidence is assessed.
Independent Findings
Findings should be based on evidence, not workplace politics, pressure or speculation.
Why Use an Independent Investigator?
Some matters may be suitable for internal review. However, serious allegations involving children often benefit from an independent investigator.
Independent investigation helps demonstrate that the organisation has taken the matter seriously, managed conflicts of interest and reached findings through a fair and evidence-based process.
This is particularly important for Boards, CEOs, Principals, HR Managers and senior decision-makers who may later need to explain how the matter was handled.
How RQI Can Assist
Regional Queensland Investigations conducts independent, evidence-based investigations throughout regional, rural and remote Queensland.
RQI is experienced in workplace investigations, government and regulatory matters, sensitive interviews, evidence handling and professional report writing. Our investigators hold current Queensland Blue Cards and are experienced working in child-related and sensitive environments.
RQI can assist with:
- Independent reportable conduct investigations
- Initial allegation assessment and investigation planning
- Witness and respondent interviews
- Evidence collection and analysis
- Procedural fairness processes
- Final investigation reports for decision-makers
Free Download: The CEO’s Guide to Queensland’s Reportable Conduct Scheme
RQI has prepared a practical resource for CEOs, Principals, Boards, HR Managers and heads of reporting entities.
The CEO’s Guide to Queensland’s Reportable Conduct Scheme – First Steps When an Allegation Is Made
The guide explains immediate safety steps, evidence preservation, police considerations, procedural fairness and when to appoint an independent investigator.
Download the Free GuideNeed an Independent Reportable Conduct Investigator?
If your organisation has received an allegation involving a worker and a child, RQI can assist with a fair, independent and evidence-based investigation.
Learn More Call 1300 870 923
Jason King is the Director of Regional Queensland Investigations Pty Ltd. He has a background in law enforcement, compliance, workplace investigations and corporate investigations, assisting businesses and organisations across regional Queensland and the Northern Territory.