AFSA Child Safety Framework – Compliance Statement 2023

In 2019 the Australian Government introduced the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework (the Framework) in response to the findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The Australian Financial Security Agency (AFSA) is committed to keeping children safe, as outlined in the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework. We are compliant with all four requirements of the framework.

AFSA reviews its risk register annually to ensure risks related to child safety are documented and treatments are applied to reduce levels of risk. A risk assessment in August 2023 rated the agency’s child safety risk as low. Our staff generally have little or no interaction with children, however contact may occur where:

• when a minor applies for bankruptcy
• a child is present during a compliance visit to premises of an adult bankruptee
• a child accompanies their carer to the workplace
• staff engaging in work in the presence of children e.g. home based work
• a person under the age of 18 undertakes work for AFSA g. work experience, graduate program.

In areas where there may be occasional or limited contact with children, or where AFSA engages third parties including financial advisors (trustees), we have put in place measures to ensure that risks are well managed. These include:

• AFSA conducts suitability assessments and at a minimum, Baseline security clearances for prospective staff which include assessment of security risks including any identified actual or potential risk to children
• interviews with non-adult bankruptees (typically 17 years of age) are interviewed only when a parent, guardian or legal representative is present
• providing all staff with access to targeted training and information, including access to eLearning modules provided by the Human Rights Commission
• ensuring contracts and agreements with third parties include clauses related to child safety and vulnerable people
• ensuring that children visiting the workplace are accompanied by a parent or guardian
• ensuring that workers under the age of 18 have adequate support and supervision
• requiring staff who work with vulnerable people, including children, to obtain a Working with Children Check or Working with Vulnerable People Check according to jurisdictional requirements.