Local government is an essential partner in any systemwide reform of public policy planning and implementation. Councils have committed us to a statewide coordinated approach to implementing the Child Safe Standards (CYSOF) in the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act.
Councils are responding to the requirements of the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023 that commenced on 1 January 2024.
We are supporting councils to comply with the implementation of the Standards under the Act. We are building a close working relationship with the Office of the Independent Regulator (OIR). Most councils are progressing their compliance and ensuring council programs, services and places are safe for every child and young person.
Our support includes facilitating collaboration between councils, providing proformas developed by national bodies and other councils, and working with individual councils. The collaboration between councils includes sharing policies and procedures and approaches to specific issues, like working with vulnerable people cards and involving young people in decision-making.
We are pleased to be working with councils to improve child safety across Tasmania, including implementing the Standards. The Office of the Independent Regulator has emphasised to us and councils, that community expectation goes beyond technical compliance, and has welcomed the approach of many councils' commitment to making councils and their communities safer for all children.
Tasmania’s Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework (the Framework) is a law to keep children safe in organisations. The Framework is established under the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023. The Framework includes the Child and Youth Safe Standards, the Reportable Conduct Scheme, information-sharing provisions and the Independent Regulator.
The Office of the Independent Regulator oversees Tasmanian organisations required to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework.
Further information and resources for organisations, parents & carers and children and young people can be found at the Office of the Independent Regulator website.
The sector also has a role to play in the recently released State Government draft strategy Change for Children. Consultation on the draft will include the sector’s views on the ways it can best contribute to this whole-of-community ten-year plan.
We have been funded by the Tasmanian Government to support councils’ contributions. This work will include collaboration with interested councils, advocating for resources, and promoting the contributions the sector already makes.
We are establishing a Multi-Use Register (MUR) to support councils' selection of external independent investigators. Investigations will be conducted within the guidelines recommended by the Tasmanian Office of the Independent Regulator.
Those interested in applying, must register via TenderLink: https://portal.tenderlink.com/lgat
Once registered, you may log in to access the documentation and lodge an application.
Further information is available for Council officers on our Member Portal.
If you need to talk to someone, here are some places you can get online and phone support:
| Kids National Helpline | |
| Lifeline | 131 114 |
| Suicide Call Back Service | |
| Men’s Line Australia | |
| 1800RESPECT | |
| Strong Families Safe Kids advice and referral line | |
| Relationships Australia (Tasmania) |
For those wishing to seek more information regarding LGAT's involvement in this project, please contact us at
Funding Recognition
 | The Commission of Inquiry - Culture Change and Strategy Action Plan 2024 Project is supported by the Tasmanian Government. |