A broad range of occupational groups are designated as ‘mandated reporters’, including teachers, police, doctors and nurses.
Reports (notifications) must be made of situations where a child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, significant harm as a result of ‘non-accidental physical injury’ or sexual abuse. Unusually, notifications must be made of physical injury without any qualification on the extent of harm.
Fig 1: Mandatory reporting law spectrum*
* Reflects general position at 31 December 2012: full reports provide complete details. Victoria limits the reporting duty to situations where the child’s parents have not protected the child from harm. Queensland has uncommenced amendments which will place it close to Victoria’s position. Emotional abuse is sometimes named psychological abuse. NSW, Tas also require reports of prenatal risk of harm in some circumstances. In NT, EDV refers to exposure to physical violence, and is more limited than in NSW, Tas.
