From 1 October 2026, private health facilities in NSW will be included in the Reportable Conduct Scheme (RCS), and the Child Safe Scheme (CSS).
This change strengthens safeguards for children in private healthcare settings by:
- introducing oversight of reportable allegations
- supporting consistent child-safe practices across sectors
- ensuring employers respond appropriately to concerns about staff conduct towards children
Who is affected by these changes?
Any health facility that is classed as a private health facility under the Private Health Facilities Act 2007 and provides services to children in any capacity is subject to these changes. That is, any health facility that is required to be licensed by NSW Health under the Private Health Facilities Act 2007.
What organisations need to do to prepare
To get ready, organisations should:
- understand their obligations under the Reportable Conduct Scheme and the Child Safe Scheme
- review and update policies and procedures
- ensure staff understand how to identify and report reportable allegations
- build processes for notifying the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG)
How we will support organisations
We’re here to support organisations every step of the way. We’re offering:
- free webinars and information sessions
- practical guides and resources
- FAQs and checklists
- direct support from our team
Register for a free webinar
We are hosting free webinars to support you in understanding your obligations.
In 'Introduction to the Child Safe and Reportable Conduct Schemes', you will receive:
- an overview of the Child Safe Scheme and Reportable Conduct Scheme
- information on what you need to do to prepare for 1 October
- resources and support to begin implementation
In 'Reporting obligations and investigation expectations', you will receive:
- information on the Reportable Conduct Scheme
- information on your responsibilities as a manager/leader
- resources and support to begin implementation
Frequently Asked Questions
From 1 October 2026, private health facilities will be included in the Reportable Conduct Scheme. They will also be recognised as child safe organisations under the Child Safe Scheme.
This means organisations will have new legal responsibilities to report and respond to certain conduct involving children and to implement the Child Safe Standards.
These changes are designed to strengthen protections for children and ensure a consistent approach to child safety across both public and private healthcare settings.
They also support organisations to better prevent, identify and respond to child abuse.
The Reportable Conduct Scheme oversees how organisations respond to allegations of certain conduct towards children, including how those allegations are reported, investigated and managed.
Organisations must notify the Office of the Children’s Guardian about reportable allegations and follow specific processes to manage and investigate those matters.
Under the Child Safe Scheme, relevant organisations must implement the Child Safe Standards.
The Standards provide a framework to help organisations create child-safe environments through appropriate systems, policies and practices.
Reportable conduct includes certain types of behaviour by an employee, volunteer or contractor towards a child, such as:
- sexual offences or sexual misconduct
- physical violence
- ill-treatment
- causing significant emotional or psychological harm
- neglect.
Further guidance is available in our fact sheets.
It’s important to note that, under the Reportable Conduct Scheme, the Head of Relevant Entity (HRE) can delegate reportable conduct responsibilities to another suitably qualified employee. However, the HRE remains ultimately responsible for ensuring the organisation meets its obligations.
Organisations must be ready to meet their obligations from 1 October 2026.
We encourage organisations to begin preparing as early as possible.
Existing processes may already support your readiness. However, organisations should review their current systems to ensure they align with:
- Reportable Conduct Scheme requirements
- the Child Safe Scheme requirements.
Yes. If your facility provides services to children at any time, it is in scope of the Schemes. The frequency of contact with children is not relevant.
Yes. For the purposes of the Schemes, a child is any person under 18 years of age.
Media kit for peak bodies
New child safety obligations for private health facilities from 1 October 2026
Private health facilities that provide services to children will be included in the NSW Reportable Conduct Scheme from 1 October 2026 and will also be recognised as child safe organisations under the Child Safe Scheme.
The changes introduce new legal responsibilities to report and respond to certain conduct involving children and to implement the Child Safe Standards. They are designed to strengthen protections for children and ensure a consistent approach to child safety across both public and private healthcare settings.
The Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG) is developing resources, guidance and training to help private health facilities understand their obligations and prepare for commencement.
What you can do now
- Learn about the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
- Familiarise yourself with the Child Safe Standards.
- Review your organisation's child-safe policies and procedures.
- Identify who will be responsible for reporting obligations and child safety governance.
- Access OCG resources and training opportunities.
For more information, visit the OCG website.
If you would like to book a meeting with the OCG to discuss these changes, contact childsafe@ocg.nsw.gov.au
Get ready for important child safety changes
From 1 October 2026, private health facilities that provide services to children will be included in the NSW Reportable Conduct Scheme and recognised as child safe organisations under the Child Safe Scheme.
These reforms are designed to strengthen protections for children and young people and support a consistent approach to child safety across healthcare settings.
Under the changes, private health facilities will be required to:
- implement the NSW Child Safe Standards
- have systems and processes that support child-safe practice
- report and respond to reportable allegations and convictions involving employees
- meet statutory obligations under the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
The Office of the Children's Guardian is working with the sector to support implementation through practical guidance, resources, webinars and training.
Private health facilities should begin preparing now by reviewing their child-safe frameworks, understanding reporting obligations and identifying any changes needed to policies, procedures and governance arrangements.
Visit the OCG website to access resources and learn more.
If you would like to book a meeting with the OCG to discuss these changes, contact childsafe@ocg.nsw.gov.au
Member update: Child safety reforms commencing 1 October 2026
Private health facilities that provide services to children will be included in the NSW Reportable Conduct Scheme and recognised as child safe organisations under the Child Safe Scheme from 1 October 2026.
Members are encouraged to review the requirements, access available resources and begin preparing now.
Visit the OCG website for guidance, tools and training opportunities.
Sample 1
Important changes are coming for private health facilities that provide services to children.
From 1 October 2026, eligible private health facilities will be included in the NSW Reportable Conduct Scheme and recognised as child safe organisations under the Child Safe Scheme.
These changes strengthen protections for children and support a consistent approach to child safety across healthcare settings.
Learn more and start preparing: ocg.nsw.gov.au
Sample 2
Creating safer environments for children is everyone's responsibility.
From 1 October 2026, private health facilities that provide services to children will have new obligations under the Reportable Conduct Scheme and Child Safe Scheme.
The Office of the Children's Guardian is providing guidance, resources and training to support the sector.
Find out what your organisation needs to do: ocg.nsw.gov.au
