Stronger Child Safety Laws Close Screening Loopholes
4 February
· Finnochiaro CLP Government closes loopholes in Working with Children screening
· Territory joins the national negative-notice information sharing system
· Reforms deliver nationally consistent protections
The Finnochiaro CLP Government has, in the last 24 hours, strengthened child safety by passing new laws to close gaps in Working with Children screening, delivering reforms that reflect its commitment to growth, certainty and security for Territory families.
The Care and Protection of Children Amendment (Worker Screening) Bill 2025 delivers nationally agreed reforms to improve information sharing between states and territories and ensure consistency across Working with Children Check screening.
For the first time, the Northern Territory will join the national negative-notice information sharing system, meaning people barred from working with children elsewhere in Australia cannot apply for a clearance in the Territory.
Minister for Child Protection, Robyn Cahill, said the reforms put children's safety first.
"These reforms are about putting children's safety first - no exceptions and no gaps. Families should be confident that people working with children in the Northern Territory are subject to strong, nationally consistent safeguards. This legislation ensures that if someone is barred from working with children elsewhere in Australia, that decision is recognised here in the Northern Territory."
Attorney-General, Marie-Clare Boothby said the Bill gives effect to national commitments endorsed by Attorneys-General across Australia - another decisive step in the government's work to keep kids safe in the Territory.
"We want the Territory to be a safe place to raise a family. These changes - implemented nationwide - aim to strengthen Working with Children Checks. By improving information sharing and mutual recognition of negative notices, we are closing loopholes which enabled offenders to skirt accountability. This will make a real difference to protecting kids in the Territory."
The legislation empowers the Northern Territory Screening Authority (SAFE NT) to access, share and act on relevant risk information held by interstate screening authorities and national databases. Employers and regulatory bodies will also be notified of negative clearance notices, providing additional assurances to workplaces across the Territory.
Existing safeguards remain in place, including natural justice protections and appeal rights through the original jurisdiction that issued the negative notice.
These reforms align with commitments agreed by Attorneys-General across Australia to strengthen nationally consistent child-safe systems. Implementation will include ICT upgrades to integrate with the National Reference System, with interim arrangements ensuring SAFE NT can access vital information as the new laws take effect later this year.
https://nt.gov.au/
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