Are the National Principles mandatory?

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommended that all institutions in Australia that engage in child-related work be required to implement ten child safe standards, which are reflected in the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

At present, the National Principles are not mandatory. However, organisations that implement them will be demonstrating their leadership and commitment to child safety and wellbeing. These organisations will become ‘organisations of choice’, because children and young people, families and communities will feel confident that they provide safe environments where children’s rights, needs and interests are met. 

Many state and territory governments have introduced child safe standards laws, based on the National Principles, as well as other child safety requirements such as background checks, that organisations will need to comply with. The Commonwealth Government Commonwealth Child Safe Framework sets minimum standards for Australian Government entities.

Links to state and territory child safe requirements and resources are available here.