McKell Institute Report – Safety Not Guaranteed

This report outlines an action plan to ensure children at work are not exposed to sexual predation in workplaces. Over 500,000 children work in Australia, yet they’re not adequately protected. Most Australians would be surprised to learn that there are few requirements for adults working alongside children to get working with children checks (WWCCs). This had led to incidences where adults charged, or even convicted, with child sex offences are working alongside children in retail, fast-food and hospitality settings. In March 2024, the South Australian Government passed legislation that banned sex offenders from working with children. In the Northern Territory, reporting laws require any adult who is aware of abuse
to report that abuse to authorities. The laws vary around the country, and it’s time to act to prevent sexual abuse of children in the workplace.