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
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
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.
