Vicarious liability for institutions for child abuse by non-employees

Civil Liability (Holding Institutions Accountable for Child Abuse) Amendment Bill 2026

Private Member's Bill

Assembly

Introduced by: Meaghan Scanlon (ALP)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Institutions can be held liable for child abuse committed by people not employed by them.
The abuser must have a relationship with the institution similar to employment.
The child must have been under the care or control of the institution.
This liability applies to past abuse.
Courts can set aside old settlements.
Courts can reconsider these claims under the new rules.
The set-aside rule only applies to settlements made before specific High Court decisions.

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