The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Reef Authority) is an organisation committed to child safety and to the implementation of Child Safe principles and procedures.
The Authority is committed to the safety and well-being of all children and young people involved in its activities and programs.
The welfare of the children in our care will always be our first priority. We aim to create a child-safe and child-friendly environment where all children are valued and feel safe.
The Authority has drafted a Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy that outlines the expectations of the organisation, our staff, and the affiliates and volunteers involved in our programs and at Great Barrier Reef Aquarium to ensure the safety of children in our care.
The policy outlines the Authority’s compliance with the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework requirements.
Our Annual Child Safety Statement of Compliance is available to view here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy outlines the expectations of the organisation, our staff, and the affiliates and volunteers involved in our programs to ensure the safety of children participating in our programs and activities.
The policy reflects the Reef Authority’s commitment to safeguarding the health, safety and well-being of our people, partners and the communities in which we operate.
The policy also reflects the Authority’s legal obligations in relation to the conduct of the Authority activities involving any contact with children.
The National Principles reflect ten child safe standards recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, with a broader scope that goes beyond sexual abuse to cover other forms of potential harm.
The Principles are fundamental to making an organisation safe for children and young people. The National Principles provide a consistent approach to creating child-safe cultures within organisations.
The National Principles are:
- Child safety and wellbeing are embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture
- Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them, and are taken seriously.
- Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
- Equity is upheld, and diverse needs respected in policy and practice
- People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice
- Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused
- Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training
- Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed
- Implementation of the National Child Safe Principles is regularly reviewed and improved
- Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people
The Reef Authority has always had processes in place to ensure the safety of children in our care, including ensuring compliance of our staff and volunteers with relevant legislation.
The Reef Authority developed a Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy as a Commonwealth agency to ensure compliance with the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework.
