Daniel’s Law

Daniel's Law can help you find information when you:

  • have concerns about a child sex offender in your local area
  • want to check about a person who has unsupervised access to your children.

When you need legal advice

Get legal advice if you or someone you know has been the victim of a child sex offender.

How to get legal advice

What is Daniel's Law?

Daniel's Law ensures the public can access information online about convicted child sex offenders who are listed on the Queensland Child Protection Register (called ‘reportable offenders’).

The register has 3 tiers:

  • Missing reportable offenders

    This section lists reportable offenders who have not met their legal obligations and whose whereabouts are unknown. It provides the offender’s full name, photo and year of birth, which the public can access after they agree not to misuse the information.

    The information will be removed once police identify where the offender is located.

  • Locality search

    The locality search enables anyone to ask police to provide a photo of every reportable offender living in their area.

  • Parents and guardians disclosure

    Parents and guardians can ask police to check if someone who has unsupervised contact with their child is a reportable offender.

    Learn more about who is a reportable offender.

    Does Daniel’s Law apply to all sex offenders?

    No. Daniel’s Law only applies to sexual offenders who are on Queensland’s Child Protection Register. 

    It does not necessarily cover a person with a history of child sexual offending or anyone who has completed their reporting obligations and is no longer on the Child Protection Register.

    Who can apply to get information?

    Anyone in Australia can access the Missing Reportable Offenders website.

    Only Queensland residents can apply for a locality search. 

    To ask for information under Daniel’s Law, applicants must:

  • apply via the approved process
  • provide personal identification and contact information
  • provide any other information as needed.

Releasing information

The Commissioner of Police has the power to release information. For example, the Commissioner of Police can deny access to requested information if its release could adversely affect a victim or interfere with the administration of justice.

Offences

The legislation also includes offences for misusing information.

  • A person must not intentionally engage in conduct that is likely to intimidate or harass an identified offender.
  • A person must not, without the written approval of the police commissioner, display, distribute or publish any identifying information.

How to get legal advice

Legal Aid Queensland may give advice about offences.

Contact us

Other places to get legal advice:

Who else can help?

Related information

Disclaimer: This content is for general purposes only and not legal advice. If you have a legal problem, please contact us or speak to a lawyer. View our full disclaimer.

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