Northern Territory
No Statutory Reportable Conduct Scheme
The Northern Territory has NO statutory Reportable Conduct Scheme. Child protection is governed by the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 and relies on universal mandatory reporting (every adult must report a belief that a child has suffered or is likely to suffer harm) alongside Working with Children Clearance (Ochre Card) compliance.
Framework & Regulation
Notification Timeframes
No reportable conduct timeframes apply; mandatory reporting is an immediate and universal obligation.
Training Requirements
No reportable conduct training is mandated. Universal mandatory reporting awareness and Ochre Card compliance are the core obligations.
Universal Mandatory Reporting (NT)
Every adult in the NT must report a belief on reasonable grounds that a child has suffered or is likely to suffer harm or exploitation, including domestic violence exposure.
Ochre Card (Working with Children) Compliance
Maintaining valid Working with Children Clearance (Ochre Card) and understanding notifiable changes.
Child Safe Practice & Boundaries
Voluntary alignment to the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and a clear code of conduct.
Whistleblowing & Public Interest Disclosure
Handling protected disclosures under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2008 (NT) for the public sector, including confidentiality, protection from detriment and reprisal, and the role of eligible recipients. It also covers the Commonwealth whistleblower protections in Part 9.4AAA of the Corporations Act 2001 (strengthened by the Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing Whistleblower Protections) Act 2019) for companies and not-for-profits, and the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (Cth) for the Australian Government public sector.
Respect at Work
Reportable Conduct Scheme program on preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment and discrimination, and meeting the positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) introduced by the Respect@Work reforms.
Psychological Safety at Work
Reportable Conduct Scheme program on building a psychologically safe workplace and identifying and managing psychosocial hazards in line with WHS psychosocial regulations and codes of practice.
Psychosocial Hazards in the Workplace
Reportable Conduct Scheme program on identifying, assessing and controlling psychosocial hazards at work in line with the model WHS Regulations and the Managing psychosocial hazards at work Code of Practice.
Investigations
No reportable conduct investigation obligation. Suspected harm must be reported to Territory Families or police; conduct matters are managed under standard employment and screening processes.
Audits & Processes
- Ochre Card register auditAnnual and at renewal
Verify current Ochre Cards for all workers and volunteers in child-related roles.
- Mandatory reporting readinessAnnual
Confirm staff know how to report to Territory Families/police and that records are kept.