What must an individual do when a child may be at risk?
Rule- Australia
- Sport Integrity Australia
- National Integrity Framework
- All ages
- 2026
- Club committees
- Safeguarding
- Complaints
- Community sport
- Participant Protection
The Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy sets these steps (children and young people means under 18):
- Immediate risk or danger: call the police on 000.
- Reasonable grounds to suspect a child may be at risk of harm and it involves possible criminal conduct (for example physical or sexual assault or grooming): call local police on 131 444 and make a report to your state or territory child protection agency.
- Concern for a child's physical safety, welfare or emotional wellbeing: report it to the appropriate person within your club or sport, which may be the Integrity Manager, Complaints Manager or a designated safety officer such as a Child Safety Officer.
Failing to report actual or suspected banned behaviours to the relevant authority is itself Prohibited Conduct. Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) notes it is an offence in many states and territories to fail to report child harm or abuse to law enforcement. Depending on where the harm occurred, a sport may also have obligations to report to state or territory regulators under Working with Children Check and Child Safe Organisations legislation or Reportable Conduct Schemes.
People in a position of authority (for example a coach or team manager) must also take reasonable steps to protect children from harm, or notify someone in a position who can.
Added 24 Oct 2026