From 1 July 2026, organisations across Queensland that work with children have been operating under the Reportable Conduct Scheme, introducing new responsibilities for how allegations involving employees, volunteers and other workers are managed.
For many organisations, the most significant change isn’t simply the introduction of new reporting obligations. It represents a broader shift in governance. Matters that may once have been managed solely as internal HR or disciplinary issues may now require external reporting, with greater scrutiny on how an organisation assessed an allegation, managed risk and documented its decision-making from the outset. Importantly, under the Scheme, the allegation itself is often what triggers an organisation’s obligations, not a finding that misconduct has occurred.
Ask yourself
Whether you’re a principal, CEO, board director, safeguarding lead or governance professional, there are a few important questions worth considering:
- Do you know who your Head of Entity is, and what responsibilities that role carries?
- Would your organisation know what to do in the first 24 hours after receiving an allegation?
- Have you prepared your governance, investigation and communication processes before they’re tested?
- Would your board understand its role during a reportable conduct matter?
Preparing for the Scheme isn’t about answering these questions in isolation. It requires organisations to balance safeguarding, governance, legal obligations, and communications; often under significant time pressure.
As discussed throughout our webinar, it’s rarely one decision that determines the outcome of a matter, but the sequence of decisions made from the moment an allegation is received.
❝ What you need to do is put in place mechanisms that ensure that the child, affected child or any other child, are not at risk. ❞
Beyond compliance
These are the practical issues explored in our recent webinar featuring experts from Safeguarding Services, Colin Biggers & Paisley, and SenateSHJ.
Rather than focusing solely on legislative requirements, the discussion examines (1) how organisations can prepare before an allegation arises, (2) respond confidently during the critical early stages of a matter, (3) manage overlapping legal and regulatory obligations, (4) balance child safety with procedural fairness, and (5) communicate effectively while protecting trust and confidence.
Through practical scenarios and real-world examples, the panel demonstrates how good governance and preparation help organisations respond with confidence when it matters most.
Throughout this series, we’ve explored key aspects of the Reportable Conduct Scheme. While each topic is important in its own right, the real value lies in understanding how they come together to support a coordinated, well-governed and child-centred organisational response.
Access our executive brief
Continue your learning by accessing the Preparing for Queensland’s Reportable Conduct Scheme Executive Brief, a premium guide designed for organisational leaders.
Gain access to the full webinar on demand, a comprehensive leadership guide, the complete transcript, practical FAQs and downloadable key takeaways.
