Stronger blue card system and new offences aim to better protect children in Queensland

This article discusses legislative reforms related to sexual violence, child protection and working with children. It may contain material that some readers find distressing.

The Queensland Government has introduced sweeping reforms to strengthen the blue card system and bolster protections for children and young people, particularly those in the care, supervision or authority of adults.

From 20 September 2025, changes to Queensland’s Working with Children Check (blue card) laws will expand who must hold a card, tighten compliance and reporting requirements, and introduce a new criminal offence aimed at preventing adults in positions of power from exploiting vulnerable young people.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said the reforms reflect the government’s commitment to “do whatever it takes” to protect children and restore confidence in child safety systems.

“Parents want absolute confidence that everything possible is being done to keep their children safe when they drop them at sports clubs, birthday parties or amusement parks,” Ms Frecklington said.

Key updates to the Working with Children laws include:

• Expanding the list of roles that require a blue card to include people working in the entertainment, amusement park and sports industries, as well as those in churches, clubs, educational services and legal services
• Applying consistent rules for parent volunteers
• Introducing self-disclosure obligations for applicants and card holders
• Simplifying the disqualification framework to improve clarity and compliance
• Granting Blue Card Services new powers to suspend cards immediately when a risk to children is identified
• Strengthening the system’s ability to respond to risk through improved compliance mechanisms and decision-making powers

These changes mean individuals previously exempt from holding a blue card may now be required to obtain one. Transitional arrangements will be in place to support organisations and workers in affected industries.

A key reform is the introduction of a new criminal offence that targets adults who engage in sexual activity with 16 or 17-year-olds under their authority, care or supervision.

While 16 is the legal age of consent in Queensland, the new ‘position of authority’ offence recognises the power imbalance that can exist between young people and adults in roles of trust. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment.

Existing laws covering ‘repeated sexual conduct with a child’ will also be extended to include adults who exploit their position in relation to 16 and 17-year-olds. Offenders face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The reforms also strengthen protections for victims of sexual violence, including:

• Extending non-contact orders from two years to five years
• Increasing the maximum penalty for breaches to three years’ imprisonment or 120 penalty units

These measures bring the penalties for non-contact order breaches in line with those for domestic and family violence orders.

Ms Frecklington said the reforms are part of the government’s plan to “fix child protection systems broken during Labor’s decade of decline.”

“These reforms send a clear message to those who abuse positions of trust, we are holding you to account. Queensland children deserve nothing less than the strongest protections we can provide,” she said.

For further detail, read the full media release via the Queensland Government website. 

If this article has raised concerns for you, support is available:

• 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 or 1800respect.org.au – National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service (24/7).
• Lifeline – 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au – Crisis support and suicide prevention (24/7).
• Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au – Support for young people aged 5–25 (24/7).
• Blue Knot Foundation – 1300 657 380 or blueknot.org.au – Support for adult survivors of childhood trauma.

For emergencies, please call 000.