How long do reportable offenders have to report for?

How long a reportable offender must comply with their reporting obligations is set out in the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) Act 2004.

Reporting time frames are not based on the type of offence. Unlike other jurisdictions, Queensland does not differentiate between the types of reportable offences – the law considers that every reportable offence results in harm to a child.

The length of time a reportable offender will remain on the Child Protection Register was increased as of October 2023. This means that a person convicted of a reportable offence on or after this change may have reporting obligations for 10 years, 20 years or life. Prior to this date, a reportable offender may have reporting obligations for 3 years, 5 years, 8 years, 10 years or life depending on when they were convicted and sentenced.