The Organ and Tissue Authority is committed to upholding the standards outlined in the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework (CCSF) to create and maintain behaviours and practices that are safe for children.
Organ and Tissue Authority employees do not undertake child-related work as part of their standard duties, however, may occasionally interact with children through organ and tissue donation community awareness activities. Due to the limited and infrequent nature of these interactions, the OTA has assessed its child safety risk as low.
Actions taken during the 2025-26 reporting period to strengthen our commitment to child safety include:
- Reviewing the OTA Child Safe Policy to ensure it remains current, fit for purpose, and aligned with the CCSF.
- Undertaking an annual child safety risk assessment.
- Completing a self-assessment against the CCSF to evaluate organisational maturity and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
The OTA's annual self-assessment confirmed that existing child safety arrangements remain appropriate and proportionate to the organisation's low-risk operating environment. The assessment also identified opportunities to further strengthen governance arrangements by embedding child safety considerations into broader corporate policies and processes where appropriate.
To maintain compliance with the CCSF and the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, the OTA will continue to:
- Improve staff awareness of OTA’s Child Safe Policy and their obligations under the policy.
- Ensure our senior leaders support and champion the implementation of the Child Safe Policy across the organisation
- Ensure child safety clauses are included in grants or procurement documents for funded third parties, where required
- Ensure relevant staff complete required training and obtain or maintain relevant checks, as applicable.
Any employees who may interact with children are required to complete a Child Safety and Wellbeing course to ensure they understand their obligations under the CCSF. Additionally, anyone who works or volunteers in child-related work must also observe State or Territory based working with children requirements.
During the reporting period (1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026), the OTA assessed itself as fully compliant with the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework.
