Tasmania

Local Legislation

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for overseeing and upholding child protection in Tasmania. Numerous Acts (laws) help to govern and guide the process of child protection in Tasmania. These acts include:

Principal Acts:

Other relevant Acts:

  • The Family Violence Act 2004
  • Family Law Act 1975

For more information on the legislative context of child protection in Tasmania, visit the Child Protection Services section of The Department of Health and Community Services website.

Reporting Child Abuse

What is reportable?

Outcomes or actions from which children are in need of protection include; neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence and psychological harm. These are all reportable offences.

What are reasonable grounds?

You do not need to have proof to report any concerns you have about the safety of a child under 16. Indicators that represent reasonable grounds to report a suspected offence include:

  • A child or young person discloses that he or she has suffered or is suffering non accidental physical injury or sexual abuse
  • Someone else advises you that a child or young person has been sexually abused or non-accidentally injured, or
  • Your own observations of the child or young person's physical condition or behaviours lead you to reasonably suspect that the child or young person has suffered or is suffering non-accidental physical injury or sexual abuse.

For more information, download the Speak Up Guide or call or email one of our qualified staff at Child Wise.

What is mandatory reporting and who is mandated to report suspected abuse?
Mandatory reporting describes the legal obligation of certain professionals and community members to report incidences of child sexual abuse. These people are called "mandated reporters". If the mandated reporters fail to report they may be fined and/or incarcerated.

Section 14(1) of the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1997 lists the following people as mandated to report:

  • a registered medical practitioner
  • a nurse, within the meaning of the Nursing Act 1995
  • a person who is registered as a dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist under the Dental Practitioners Registration Act 2001
  • a registered psychologist, within the meaning of the Psychologists Registration Act 2000
  • a police officer
  • a departmental employee, within the meaning of the Police Regulation Act 1898
  • a probation officer appointed or employed under section 5 of the Corrections Act 1997
  • a principal and a teacher in any educational institution (including a kindergarten)
  • a person who provides child care, or a child care service, for fee or reward
  • a person concerned in the management of a child care service licensed under the Child Care Act 2001
  • any other person who is employed or engaged as an employee for, of or in, or who is a volunteer in;
  • a Government Agency that provides health, welfare, education, child care or residential services wholly or partly for children; and
  • an organisation that receives funding from the Crown for the provision of such services
  • any other person of a class determined by the Minister by notice in the Gazette to be prescribed (mandated) persons.

Section 14(2) of the Act states that if a mandated, or as defined by the Act, prescribed person, in carrying out official duties or in the course of his or her work (whether paid or voluntary), believes, or suspects, on reasonable grounds, or knows:

  • that a child has been or is being abused or neglected or is an affected child within the meaning of the Family Violence Act 2004; or
  • that there is a reasonable likelihood of a child being killed or abused or neglected by a person with whom the child resides

The prescribed person must inform the Secretary or a Community-Based Intake Service of that belief, suspicion or knowledge as soon as practicable after he or she forms the belief or suspicion or gains the knowledge.

For more information on mandatory reporting of all state and territories go to http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/sheets/rs3/rs3.html

Who to report to and how
If you need to report an offence that requires immediate police attention, please call

Police: 000

If you suspect on reasonable grounds that a child is suffering abuse or neglect or you wish to discuss your concerns about a child or young person, you should telephone

Child Protection Intake (Statewide) 1300 737 639

Child Protection Services:

North West (03) 6434 6246

North (03) 6336 2376

South West (03) 6230 7650

South East (03) 6230 7833

Alternatively you may also contact a Gateway service to discuss any difficulties you may be having or any concerns that you might feel towards the well-being of a child you know on 1800 171 233 (9am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday)

There are also Support Services across Tasmania that can assist and advise you through the process of making a report, and beyond.

Support Services

  • Child Protection Services & Police
  • Hospitals
  • Legal Services
  • Sexual Assault Services
  • Counselling
  • Domestic Violence
  • Men's Services

 

Child Protection Services & Police

Department of Health and Human Services
Child Protection Advice & Referral Service - Report Child Abuse 1300 737 639

Child Protection/Intake and Assessment 03 6233 2921

Glenorchy 03 6233 8869

Launceston 03 6336 2376 / 1800 001 219

Burnie 03 6434 6246

Devonport 03 6421 7803

Tasmania Police 03 6230 2111 www.police.tas.gov.au

Commissioner for Children 03 6233 4520 www.childcomm.tas.gov.au

National Crime Prevention Sexual Assault Services
Hobart (24 hours) 03 6231 1811

Launceston (24 hours) 03 6334 2740

Burnie (Business Hours) 03 6431 9711

Hospitals

Royal Hobart Hospital 03 6222 8308

Launceston General Hospital 03 6348 7111

Legal Services

Women's Legal Service 1800 682 468 www.womenslegaltas.org.au

Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania 1300 366 611 www.legalaid.tas.gov.au

National Association of Community Legal Centres www.naclc.org.au

Courtwise www.courtwise.nsw.gov.au
An online pathway through the NSW court system for victims and other witnesses. The information although specific to NSW is useful where ever you are in Australia. The site can help by giving you information about the legal process and letting you know what to expect in court. It is a child and parent friendly resource.

Australian Institute of Criminology www.aic.gov.au

Counselling

SHE (Support, Help & Empowerment) 03 96278 9090
www.she.org.au

Yemaya: women’s support service 03 6334 0305 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 www.kidshelp.com.au

Parenting Line Tasmania 1300 808 178

Lifeline 13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au

Relationships Australia 1300 364 277 www.relationships.com.au

Sexual Assault Services

Hobart Sexual Assault Support Service 03 6231 1811

Sexual Assault Support Services 03 6231 1800 or 03 6231 1817 www.sass.org.au

Laurel House: Sexual assault support service - 03 6334 2740 Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Crisis Service 1800 633 937 www.dvcs.org.au

Men's Services

Tools For Men: Counselling 03 62133550 www.anglicare/tas.org.au

Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78 www.menslineaus.org.au