Reporting Concerns
If you believe a child is in immediate danger or in a life-threatening situation, please contact the police immediately by dialling 000.
Report your concerns
If you have a reason to suspect a child is experiencing harm, or is at risk of experiencing harm, you can report your concerns to the relevant authorities in your state:
Australian Capital Territory
Child and Youth Protection Services
New South Wales
Child Protection Helpline
Northern Territory
Child Protection
24 hours toll free
Queensland
Child Safety Services
- During normal business hours – contact the Regional Intake Service.
- After hours and on weekends – contact the Child Safety After Hours Service Centre on 1800 177 135. (Operates 24/7)
South Australia
Child Abuse Report Line
Tasmania
Child Protection Services
Providing an electronic notification
Victoria
Child Protection
To contact a child protection office close to you call a local office.
Western Australia
Department for Child Protection
Contact the Department for Child Protection through a local district office.
Child protection is everyone’s business. It is important to remain diligent in your community, and if you are concerned about a child’s welfare, please report it to the relevant authorities.
If you need assistance in identifying the signs of abuse and neglect, please click on the button below:
Some things you can do if you are concerned:
Stay Alert
Stay alert to any warning signs that a child is experiencing abuse or neglect.
Keep notes
Start keeping written notes as soon you have concerns – note events or physical marks/injuries you see, changes to the child’s behaviour, feelings, or the words they use.
Gentle Approach
If you know the child, have gentle, non-judgemental conversations with them – showing your concern that they look sad or unwell can open the door for them to share their experience with you.
Don't Pressure
Don’t put pressure on them to respond and don’t ask leading questions or ‘put words in their mouth’.
Approachable
Tell them they can come and talk to you any time they need to, and pay attention to them when they do.
Authorities
Contact your local child protection authorities, they can advise you on what else to do and take action to investigate the situation – if you are concerned about your own safety or relationships, you can remain anonymous.
Think about yourself
Look after yourself, it can be overwhelming and upsetting to think a child you know is being harmed, contact a local support agency or a helpline like Lifeline if you need to talk to someone about how you’re feeling.
If a child discloses abuse or neglect to you:
Here are some things you can do if you have concerns about a child or young person:
Listen to them
Tell them you believe them
Reassure them they have done the right thing in telling you
Don’t tell them you won’t tell anyone, explain that you want to protect them and what you will do next, that you may need to tell someone else who will be able to help (the child may be fearful of getting in trouble for telling, but it’s important not to lie to them, they need to be able to trust you)
Don’t confront their parents or abuser
Make written notes about everything the child told you, and contact your local child protection authorities.
Did you know that only 1 in 3 adults will report abuse when a child discloses