Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have to report?​

The Child Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2004 requires offenders who commit sexual or particular other serious offences against children to keep police informed of their whereabouts and other personal details for inclusion in the Child Protection Register. The Queensland Government is committed to the protection of children and this provides the Queensland Police Service with the power to monitor reportable offenders under the Act, to reduce the likelihood of re offending, and to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of any future offences committed.

When do I have to report?

Your reporting obligations are determined by the Child Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2004 and is as follows;

• Periodic Reporting (Quarterly Reporting) – As a reportable offender you must report to police quarterly in the months of February, May, August and November for the length of their reporting period. If sufficient reason exists upon direction in writing you may be required to make Periodic Reports more frequent than quarterly
• Change of Personal Details – As a reportable offender you must report to police any change to your personal details within a certain period after the change occurs. Depending on the change, the report needs to be made either 24 hours or 7 days after the change occurs. Please refer to your notice of reporting obligations for details.
• Reporting travel - You must report to police any travel or change to your travel details within a certain period after the change occurs. Depending on the change, the report needs to be made 24 hours after the change occurs. Please refer to your notice of reporting obligations for details.

How can I report?

To comply with your reporting obligations you must report using one of the following methods:

Initial Report – must be made in person at a police station

Periodic Reports – are to be made as directed by the Commissioner of Police and may include:

• attending a police station using the  Kiosk Reporting Information System
• reporting through Online Reporting

Change in personal details and or reports of travel through the following:

• Online Reporting 
• By telephone to Child Protection Offender Registry (CPOR) on 1300 552 931

Can I attend a police station and report in person?

Yes, in certain circumstances only. There will be occasions when a reportable offender will be directed to report in person to a police station. You will receive written notice of that requirement from the Commissioner of Police.

You will otherwise be instructed how you can report which will be in your Notice of Reporting Obligations. If you attend a police station to report in person and you have not received written notification of that requirement, you will be referred to Online Reporting or by telephone to Child Protection Offender Registry (CPOR) on 1300 552 931(Mon-Fri 8am – 4pm).

In circumstances where you are not able to use the above options to make your report, please inform the front counter staff and they will arrange for you to use a telephone

If I am in government detention when my periodic report (usually quarterly unless otherwise directed) is due, do I have to complete it?

No, your reporting obligations will be suspended for the period that you are in government detention.

Can I arrange for a third party to report on my behalf?

No, you must make the report but you can arrange for a support person to assist you. If you do arrange for a support person to assist you they will be required to complete a form undertaking not to disclose any information from the report.

What happens when I report?

As a reportable offender you have to report to police and provide them with certain details for a set period of time. Every time that a report is made a receipt will be provided to you either in person or to your nominated email or postal address. It is important that the receipt is retained as proof that the report was made.

What happens with the information I report?

The information that you are to report in accordance with the Child Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2004 will be recorded in the National Child Offender System for the duration of your reporting period.

Who can access the information I report

As required by the Child Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2004 the Police Commissioner has developed guidelines about access to and disclosure of personal information in the register. The guidelines ensure that access to the personal information in the register is restricted to the greatest extent possible without interfering with the purpose of the Act. In accordance with the Police Commissioner’s guidelines the personal information you report will only be considered for release for child protection and law enforcement purposes.

If I was an adult when I committed the registrable offence, how long do I have to report for?

The length of your reporting is determined by how many offences you have been convicted and sentenced for and will vary between 5 to 10 years and life. You will be advised in writing what your length of reporting will be.

If I was a child when I committed the registrable offence, how long do I have to report for?

If you have received written advice that you are required to comply with reporting the length of reporting will be 2.5 years, 5 years or 7.5 years.

Can my length of reporting change?

Yes, your reporting period can change if any of the following occurs

• If you are placed into government detention. The period of time spent in government detention will be added to your length of reporting​​
• If you commit further offences against children after you have received written notice of your reporting obligations, your reporting period will be increased.
• An order may also be made against you by a court which may increase your reporting period if you engage in concerning conduct which may endanger the lives or sexual safety of children generally.

Can I review my entry onto the register?

Yes, you can apply in writing to review the decision to place you on the register and the length of your reporting period. However, you must make application within 28 days from being given your notice of reporting obligations. Reviews outside the 28 days will not be considered.

When I apply for a review are my reporting obligations suspended?

No, your reporting obligations are not suspended because you have made the application to review your entry onto the register.

If I have lodged a court appeal against my conviction for the registrable offence is my reporting obligations suspended.

No, your reporting obligations are not suspended because you have appealed your conviction and you may still be charged if you fail to comply with your reporting obligations whilst awaiting the outcome of your appeal.

Can my reporting obligations be suspended?

Yes, reporting obligations may be suspended:

• if you have a significant physical or cognitive impairment and you do not pose a risk to the lives or sexual safety of children,
• if you were a child when you committed the offence and you do not pose a risk to the lives or sexual safety of children,
• if you go into government detention.

NOTE: The length of your reporting will be increased by the length of time you are in government detention for any reason.

Can I live with children?

Yes, the Child Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2004 does not prohibit you from living with children, however you are required to provide the details of any child with whom you have any reportable contact. If there are concerns for any child that you have contact with, the matter will be investigated in accordance with the Child Protection Act 1999.

What will happen if I fail to comply with my reporting obligations or I provide false or misleading information?

It is an offence not to comply with your reporting obligation or to provide false and misleading information. Failure to comply with your reporting obligations or knowingly providing false or misleading information to police is a crime. Both offences are punishable by a fine of up to 300 penalty units or 5 years imprisonment.

Is my reporting obligations specific only in the State of Queensland?

No, every state and territory in Australia has corresponding legislation requiring certain offenders who commit serious or sexual offences against children to keep police informed of their whereabouts and other personal details for a period of time after their release into the community.

How do I contact CPOR?

CPOR can be contacted between the hours of 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday on Ph: 1300 552 931 

Can I report multiple changes relating to a single detail type on one report?

Yes, however the online report will only allow a maximum of 5 entries for any one detail type. Should you need to report more then 5 (e.g. 7 email addresses, or 8 children), you will need to enter a new report for each 5 items.

My child does not live with me but comes over every second weekend. Do I have to report every time I have contact with this child?​

No, however, you must report when you have a child with whom you have reportable contact and the relevant details about the child including the nature of the contact. When you have reported that child you are not required to make a further report unless the nature of the contact changes. 

Examples:

• If you have access visits with your child this would have to be reported, however you do not need to report every access visit. Should circumstances change and the child now comes to live with you then you will be required to make a new report. 
• If you visit a residence infrequently and have reportable contact with child at the residence, this must be reported. However, there is no requirement to report that contact again unless the circumstances change. Should you go on a holiday and be travelling with the child you would then be required to report this contact. 
• Should you attend a family gathering and have reportable contact with a child this would only have to be reported once. If arrangements are made for you to transport the child to and from school, this would require you to submit a new report of contact.