What does the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy require of clubs?

Q: What does the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy require of clubs?

The Policy lists these Prohibited Conduct items for sporting organisations: Screening: all staff and volunteers in child-related positions must hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) or equivalent, unless exempt. Screening measures such as reference checks must be used when hiring personnel in child-related work. Supervision, including overnight stays: only suitably skilled adults should supervise children and young people. Safe and appropriate accommodation must be provided on overnight activities. Safe transportation must be provided, and parents or carers must give prior written consent. Photography, video and livestreaming: written consent is required from a parent or carer. The organisation must make sure any child featured is appropriately posed and dressed, and that the material is not stored on personal devices. Risk management: a child safe risk management plan is required when the state or territory legislation requires it. The plan should consider how children are exposed to harm and abuse in your sport and what systems, policies and practices prevent it. The 2026 update also says organisations are required to implement risk management, recruitment screening processes, child safety statements and controls of images and livestreaming. Minimum requirements are in the Policy, and best practice moved to a separate Companion Guide. Sources: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/national-integrity-framework/safeguarding-children-and-young-people-policy-overview and https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/sites/default/files/SIA744-0726-NIF-KEY-CHANGES-WEB-ACC_0.pdf

Question

Accepted Answer

The Policy lists these Prohibited Conduct items for sporting organisations:

Screening: all staff and volunteers in child-related positions must hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) or equivalent, unless exempt. Screening measures such as reference checks must be used when hiring personnel in child-related work.
Supervision, including overnight stays: only suitably skilled adults should supervise children and young people. Safe and appropriate accommodation must be provided on overnight activities. Safe transportation must be provided, and parents or carers must give prior written consent.
Photography, video and livestreaming: written consent is required from a parent or carer. The organisation must make sure any child featured is appropriately posed and dressed, and that the material is not stored on personal devices.
Risk management: a child safe risk management plan is required when the state or territory legislation requires it. The plan should consider how children are exposed to harm and abuse in your sport and what systems, policies and practices prevent it.

The 2026 update also says organisations are required to implement risk management, recruitment screening processes, child safety statements and controls of images and livestreaming. Minimum requirements are in the Policy, and best practice moved to a separate Companion Guide.

Sources: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/national-integrity-framework/safeguarding-children-and-young-people-policy-overview and https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/sites/default/files/SIA744-0726-NIF-KEY-CHANGES-WEB-ACC_0.pdf