Support grows for Queensland ECEC sector ahead of child safety reforms

With major child safety reforms on the horizon, Queensland organisations are being supported to build the capabilities they need to meet their obligations under the new Child Safe Organisations Act 2024.

From 1 October 2025, Queensland’s new child safety laws will take effect, introducing strengthened safeguards for children and young people across a range of sectors, including early childhood education and care (ECEC). In preparation, applications have opened for Round 2 of the Queensland Family and Child Commission’s (QFCC) Child Safeguarding Grants Program.

This round includes a specific focus on supporting organisations to implement the Reportable Conduct Scheme, a key element of the state’s new child protection framework.

Grants of up to $90,000 are available under two categories:

• Sector-specific capability and capacity building packages to support Reportable Conduct Scheme implementation.
• Capability and capacity investment in existing safeguarding programs that reach broadly across organisations or sectors.

Applications close at 11.59pm (AEST) on Sunday 14 September 2025.

To view full eligibility criteria, application details and closing dates, visit the QFCC website.

An online information session for prospective applicants will be held on Thursday 22 August. Registration is available here.

In a related announcement, the Queensland Government has brought forward the ECEC sector’s requirement to implement the Reportable Conduct Scheme by one year. The new commencement date is 1 July 2026, instead of the previously legislated 2027 timeline. Legislative amendments will be introduced when Parliament resumes to formalise the change.

To assist services at all stages of their child safety journey, the QFCC has developed resources to support implementation of the 10 Child Safe Standards and the Universal Principle. These tools are designed to help services assess their current practices and embed child safety into all aspects of their operations and culture.

Additional resources for implementing the Reportable Conduct Scheme will be released later this year. For training and development opportunities, visit the QFCC’s Training hub.