The purpose of this policy is to demonstrate Beyond Blue’s commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
This policy informs employees, contractors, volunteers, Board Directors and those in paid governance roles, of their obligations to act ethically towards children and young people and outlines their roles and responsibilities in supporting child safety and wellbeing.
It also provides guidance on the processes and controls that support child safety across Beyond Blue’s work, including in-person, online, telephone-based, digital, community-based and event-based activities.
This policy establishes the organisation’s overarching child safety and wellbeing framework. All related policies, procedures and guidance must be consistent with and give effect to this policy.
This policy applies to all persons engaged by Beyond Blue, including:
This policy applies regardless of whether a person has direct or indirect contact with children or young people.
Term | Definition |
| Child or young person | A person under the age of 18 years. |
| Contact with a child or young person | Physical contact, face-to-face contact, written communication, oral communication, telephone contact, online contact, electronic communication or other digital communication. |
| Child harm or abuse | Any behaviour or treatment that results in actual harm or creates a likelihood of physical, emotional or psychological harm to a child or young person. |
| Child-related work | Work that involves, or is likely to involve, direct contact with children or young people as part of a person’s duties, where such contact is not merely incidental. |
| Working with Children Check / WWCC | A statutory screening process conducted by a state or territory authority to assess a person's suitability to work or volunteer with children. The name and requirements of the screening process may vary between Australian jurisdictions. Refer to the Australian WWCC Jurisdictions section at the end of this policy for further information. |
| Equivalent clearance | A child-related screening clearance issued by a state or territory authority that serves a similar purpose to a Working with Children Check under the laws of that jurisdiction. |
| WWCC linking or registration requirement | The process, where required by a state or territory authority, of linking a person's Working with Children Check to Beyond Blue as the relevant employer, organisation or engaging entity. |
Role | Responsibility |
| Executive | Executive is responsible for:
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| All persons engaged by Beyond Blue | Persons covered by this policy are responsible for:
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| People leaders | People leaders are responsible for:
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| People & Culture | People & Culture is responsible for:
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| Chief Executive Officer | The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for:
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| Appropriate Head (or delegate) | The appropriate Head (or delegate) is responsible for:
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| Head of Assurance | The Head of Assurance is responsible for:
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| Board | The Board is responsible for providing oversight of child safety and wellbeing, including reviewing material risks, incidents and assurance information, and ensuring appropriate governance arrangements are in place. |
| Third-Party Providers | Third-party providers are responsible for:
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Beyond Blue is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
Across its work, Beyond Blue aims to create environments where children and young people are safe, welcomed, respected and valued.
Beyond Blue has zero tolerance for any form of child abuse, harm or neglect and will embed and maintain processes to prevent, identify, report and respond to child safety concerns.
Beyond Blue is committed to implementing and maintaining practices consistent with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and any applicable Child Safe Standards in the jurisdictions in which it operates.
Beyond Blue demonstrates this commitment by:
Child safety complaints and significant safeguarding concerns will be assessed, escalated and managed through the appropriate complaint, incident, safeguarding and governance pathways. Investigations must be undertaken by individuals with suitable authority, independence and capability, with escalation to the CEO and governance forums where required.
Where a person is no longer suitable or legally permitted to undertake child-related work, Beyond Blue will take appropriate action to manage risk and ensure compliance with legal and organisational requirements.
Depending on the circumstances, non-compliance with this policy may constitute a breach of employment, contractual or volunteer obligations.
Non-compliance may result in:
This policy will be reviewed every two years, or earlier if required due to:
As an organisation that supports people from across Australia, Beyond Blue acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.
First Nations Peoples are advised that this website may include reference to and images of deceased persons.
Beyond Blue is committed to safe inclusive spaces, policies and services for people of LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.
Premier partners
Beyond Blue recognises that child safety, mandatory reporting and Working with Children Check requirements differ across Australian states and territories.
This policy applies where work is performed in any Australian state or territory, including where services, programs, activities or engagement occur:
Because Working with Children Checks and equivalent clearances are issued under state and territory laws, a clearance from one jurisdiction may not automatically authorise a person to undertake child-related work in another jurisdiction.
The relevant clearance requirements will be determined based on:
Beyond Blue requires employees, contractors and Board Directors to obtain and maintain a valid Working with Children Check or equivalent clearance. Volunteers and individuals in paid governance roles must obtain and maintain a valid Working with Children Check or equivalent clearance where their role, duties or participation involve events, activities or other interactions where children may be present.
Requirements for Working with Children Checks, equivalent clearances, screening and suitability assessments will be determined having regard to legislative requirements, organisational child safety requirements, jurisdictional considerations and the nature of a person's role, duties or involvement with children and young people.
Beyond Blue will maintain appropriate records to demonstrate compliance with child safety and screening obligations, including verification and maintenance of required clearances.
Persons required to hold a WWCC or equivalent clearance must maintain the currency of those clearances as a condition of continuing engagement where applicable. Beyond Blue will monitor ongoing compliance with child safety and screening obligations and take appropriate action where requirements are not met.
Beyond Blue requires that contractors, volunteers and third-party providers comply with child safety obligations and, where applicable, maintain appropriate screening and suitability clearances.
Beyond Blue will apply proportionate due diligence and assurance processes to confirm compliance.
Employees, contractors, volunteers, Board Directors and those in paid governance roles, must report any child harm, abuse or safety concerns to:
All concerns relating to child harm, abuse or safety must be reported and managed in accordance with applicable legal requirements and Beyond Blue’s safeguarding and incident management processes.
Employees, contractors, volunteers, Board Directors and those in paid governance roles, must maintain confidentiality and cooperate fully with any investigation.
Beyond Blue will keep information about complaints confidential, except where it is necessary to share information to respond properly to a complaint, comply with legal obligations or prioritise child safety.
All adults in Victoria who have a reasonable belief that an adult has committed a sexual offence against a child under 16 have an obligation to report that information to Victoria Police, unless they have a reasonable excuse. Failure to do so is a criminal offence.
Individuals must comply with mandatory reporting obligations under applicable legislation, including requirements relating to reporting sexual offences against children.
Mandatory reporting rules differ across Australia. Individuals who are uncertain about their reporting obligations should seek guidance through the appropriate Beyond Blue reporting channel. People & Culture is responsible for providing advice on applicable legislative and organisational requirements and may obtain specialist advice where required.
Beyond Blue must ensure that child safety, complaint and screening information is handled in accordance with privacy and legal obligations, including secure storage, restricted access and appropriate use in accordance with the Privacy Policy and relevant information security, classification and handling policies.
Beyond Blue will monitor compliance with this policy and related child safety obligations through appropriate governance, reporting and assurance mechanisms.
This may include:
Jurisdiction | Common name of check |
| Australian Capital Territory | Working with Vulnerable People registration |
| New South Wales | Working with Children Check |
| Northern Territory | Working with Children Clearance / Ochre Card |
| Queensland | Blue Card |
| South Australia | Working with Children Check |
| Tasmania | Registration to Work with Vulnerable People |
| Victoria | Working with Children Check |
| Western Australia | Working with Children Check / Card |
