Mandatory reporters: What to report and when
Information on how to use the decision tree in the Mandatory Reporter Guide (MRG) guide, when to report and what you need to report.
Deciding to make a report and using the MRG
You must make a report to Communities and Justice (DCJ) when you have current concerns about the safety, welfare and wellbeing of a child for any of the following reasons:
- the basic physical or psychological needs of the child or young person are not being met (neglect)
- the parents or caregivers have not arranged necessary medical care for the child or young person (unwilling or unable to do so)
- the parents or caregivers have not arranged for the child or young person to receive an education in accordance with the Education Act 1990 (unwilling or unable to do so)
- risk of physical or sexual abuse or ill-treatment
- parent or caregiver’s behaviour towards the child causes or risks serious psychological harm (emotional abuse)
- incidents of domestic violence and as a consequence a child or young person is at risk of serious physical or psychological harm (domestic or family violence)
- the child was the subject in a prenatal report and the birth mother did not engage successfully with support services.
It’s mandatory to make a report if the child is 0 to 15 years and at risk of significant harm.
It’s not mandatory to make a report if it is an unborn child, or a young person aged 16 to 17.
If you want to report a child and family you do not have a professional relationship with, do so as an individual and not as a mandatory reporter.
It may help you to read the following: