Commencement of the Children and Community Services Amendment Act 2021 from 1 May 2022

The Amendment Act will implement recommendations of the final report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse to expand mandatory reporter groups, and the 2017 Statutory Review of the Children and Community Services Act 2004.  

The changes will strengthen the Children and Community Services Act 2004 to better protect WA’s children from harm as a result of abuse and neglect.  They are also intended to drive improved outcomes for children who are in the care of the Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Communities, with a particular focus on strengthening connection to family, culture and Country for Aboriginal children in care.

The new provisions will commence from 1 May 2022 with the exception of provisions relating to mandatory reporting and Aboriginal representative organisations (AROs).

The expansion of mandatory reporting will commence in a staged approach starting on 1 November 2022 with ministers of religion. The amendments relating to AROs will come into effect at a later date to allow sufficient time for the Department of Communities and potential AROs to build the capacity needed to implement the delivery of ARO services state-wide.

Further information and resources

Further information and resources are available on the Department of Communities’ website:

Children and Community Services Act 2004 (www.wa.gov.au)

If you have any questions please contact csaroyalcommission@communities.wa.gov.au

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Mandatory Reporting