Annual Statement of Compliance

National Archives of Australia (National Archives) is committed to meeting the core requirements of the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework (the Framework), and to providing physical and digital environments where children and young people are safe, respected and protected.

National Archives delivers national public engagement program services to enable all Australians to access and use the national archival collection, including children and young people. This includes school programs, family programs, exhibitions, public programs, work experience opportunities and general access to National Archives' public spaces. We welcome children and young people at all our offices across Australia. National Archives also collaborates with other national collecting and cultural institutions on programs and activities involving children and young people.

National Archives' annual risk assessment was completed in September 2026 and determined that the overall child safety risk rating for the organisation is ‘low’. 

A range of controls enable National Archives to effectively manage its child safety risks, including staff screening and training, child-safe program design, appropriate security arrangements, and clear communication of expectations and requirements to parents, carers and teachers. Risk assessment and policies for school visits to National Office, Canberra are published on National Archives' website and the Book Canberra Excursions website, which is used for all school program bookings. Risk assessments are conducted for all public programs that include younger audiences.

National Archives is fully compliant with all 4 core Framework requirements:

1. Undertake annual risk assessments
2. Establish a system of training and compliance
3. Adopt and implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
4. Publish an annual statement of compliance.

During the 2025–26 financial year, National Archives acted to further strengthen our compliance with the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework, including:

• establishing the Children and Young Person Safety Working Group
• developing and publishing the Safety of children and young people policy and Child and young person code of conduct.

In the 2026–27 financial year, we:

• published the Safety of children and young people policy and Child and young person code of conduct
• appointed a Child Safe Champion at the SES level.

In the 2026–27 financial year, National Archives will continue to review and improve its child safe practices to ensure children and young people's safety is promoted. This includes:

• developing a child-friendly version of the Safety of children and young people policy
• clarifying requirements for staff to obtain Working With Vulnerable People or Working With Children checks
• strengthening work experience arrangements across our sites.

Publishing date: Wednesday 28 October 2026