Under section 124A of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, it is now mandatory for all early childhood workers to report child sexual abuse to the Department of Communities’ Mandatory Reporting Service.
They are part of the eight new mandatory reporter groups being implemented through a staggered approach following the passing of the Children and Community Services Amendment Act 2021. The final mandatory reporter group in Western Australia, youth justice worker, will commence on 1 May 2025.
The expansion is being managed in stages to ensure each group receives the necessary training and support to fulfil their new reporting obligations. Communities has free mandatory reporter online training and resources available to support the various reporting groups to understand their responsibilities.
For more information and to access free mandatory reporter online training, visit Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse in WA.
Any person with concerns about a child’s wellbeing is urged to notify Communities, regardless of whether that person is a mandatory reporter. This enables authorities to assess the circumstances and take action to protect the child and other children where necessary. Life-threatening concerns about a child should be reported to the police on 000.
