The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is marking six months since the introduction of Daniel’s Law, a landmark child protection reform that is empowering Queensland families with information to help safeguard children.
Since commencing on 31 December 2025, the Queensland Community Protection and Public Child Sex Offender Register has been used by thousands of Queenslanders seeking information to make informed decisions about the safety and wellbeing of children in their care.
In its first six months of operation, the Community Protection Website, www.danielslaw.qld.gov.au, has recorded more than 381,000 visits, with Queenslanders lodging more than 44,000 locality search applications and more than 200 parent and guardian disclosure applications.
Through parent and guardian disclosure applications, QPS have identified 14 reportable offenders, taken safeguarding action in more than one quarter of all disclosure applications assessed, and charged three reportable offenders for allegedly failing to comply with mandatory reporting obligations relating to contact with children.
QPS Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon said the results demonstrated strong community engagement and highlighted the important role families play in safeguarding children.
“Daniel’s Law has transformed the child safeguarding landscape, making it easier for the whole community help protect children,” Deputy Commissioner Scanlon said.
“These figures show Queensland families are actively using the scheme to make informed decisions about the people who may have access to their children.
“Every application represents a significant positive shift in how communities are engaging with the QPS to access vital information.
“The strongest measure of Daniel’s Law is not the number of website visits. It is the number of Queensland families using the scheme to make informed choices that help protect children from harm.
“In several cases, parents and guardians proactively sought information about adults who may have had unsupervised access to their child. The scheme identified reportable child sex offenders, enabling families to make informed decisions and strengthen protective measures around their children.
“One of the greatest strengths of Daniel’s Law is that it can help prevent harm before it occurs. Many parents and guardians are using the scheme simply because they want peace of mind and are taking proactive steps to protect their children.
“We know the majority of child sexual offending is committed by someone known to the child or family. That is why safeguarding conversations, awareness and informed decision making remain so important.
“Our message for Queensland families is simple. You do not need to have concerns about someone to use Daniel’s Law. Many parents and guardians are using the scheme as a precaution because when it comes to child safeguarding, it is always better to check.”
Crime Command Detective Superintendent Denzil Clark said the legislation was strengthening child protection efforts across Queensland while also generating additional intelligence for police.
“Every disclosure application represents a parent taking an active step to safeguard a child,” Detective Superintendent Clark said.
“For six months, Daniel’s Law has been putting information into the hands of Queenslanders and helping families make safer decisions for children.
“The information provided through the scheme has already assisted police investigations and resulted in reportable offenders being held accountable for failing to meet their reporting obligations.
Through the assessment of parent and guardian disclosure applications, police identified several reportable offenders and referred matters for further investigation, resulting in offenders being charged for failing to comply with their reporting obligations.
“Every application, intelligence submission and community interaction contributes to our broader goal of preventing harm and keeping children safe,” Detective Superintendent Clark said.
“Daniel’s Law is one part of a shared responsibility. Parents, carers, families, communities and police all have a role to play in creating safe environments for children.
“The community plays a critical role in safeguarding children, and Daniel’s Law is strengthening that partnership every day.”
Since the introduction of Daniel’s Law, QPS have:
- Processed 44,400 locality search applications
- Completed 202 parent and guardian disclosure applications
- Identified 14 reportable offenders through the parent and guardian disclosure process
- Published information relating to three missing reportable offenders
- Charged three reportable offenders for allegedly failing to comply with mandatory reporting obligations
- Recorded 381,000 visits to the Community Protection Website
Police encourage Queenslanders to remain vigilant, have open conversations about personal safety with children and utilise the tools available through Daniel’s Law when making decisions about the adults who may have access to their children.
For more information, to learn about child safeguarding or to lodge an application through the Community Protection Website, visit www.danielslaw.qld.gov.au.
