New South Wales Consolidated Acts

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS (CARE AND PROTECTION) ACT 1998 - SECT 29AAA

29AAA Protection of persons who make reports or provide information to particular institutions

(1) If, in relation to a child or young person or a class of children or young persons, a person makes a report in good faith to an institution engaging in child-related work about a child or young person that the person making the report reasonably suspects is at risk of significant harm in the institution--

(a) the making of the report does not constitute a breach of professional etiquette or ethics or a departure from accepted standards of professional conduct, and

(b) no liability for defamation is incurred because of the report, and

(c) the making of the report does not constitute a ground for civil or criminal liability against the person making the report.

(2) The protections given by this section to a person who makes a report apply to--

(a) a person who provided information on the basis of which the report was made in good faith to the institution, and

(b) a person who otherwise was in good faith concerned in making such a report or causing such a report to be made,

in the same way as they apply in respect of the person who actually made the report.

Note : It is an offence under section 254 for a person to disclose any information obtained in connection with the administration or execution of this Act, except in certain circumstances. The maximum penalty is 10 penalty units (currently $1,100) or imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.