Corporation of the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane—Centacare Administration Services fined $20,000 for missing child

Corporation of the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane—Centacare Administration Services has been fined $20,000 after a 6-year-old child in the care of St Peter's Outside School Hours Care left the service premises unsupervised and was later located on a school bus at the end of the bus route.

In this case, the child left the service unsupervised after being signed into care and managed to board a school bus. The child was found by the bus driver at the end of the bus route. The service did not identify the child as missing until such time as their mother arrived at the service to collect them.

No conviction was recorded.

The Department of Education, as the Early Childhood Regulatory Authority, prosecuted the service's approved provider after its investigation into the 27 October 2023 incident.

Corporation of the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane—Centacare Administration Services pleaded guilty to 4 charges:

1. Section 165(1) of the National Law—Offence to inadequately supervise children
2. Section 167(1) of the National Law—Offence relating to protection of children from harm and hazards
3. Regulation 99(1) of the National Regulations—Children leaving the education and care service premises
4. Regulation 170(1) of the National Regulations—Policies and procedures to be followed.

The fine of $20,000 reflects the seriousness of these offences, that could result in a child's serious injury or death.

On 15 April 2026, in deciding the defendant's guilt and sentence, Acting Magistrate Raelene Ellis considered the child's age, the significant period the child was left unsupervised and the distance travelled, as well as the service's lack of induction and training for staff, and the child's known developmental needs.

Acting Magistrate Ellis also acknowledged the defendant's early guilty plea and the steps taken to address the issues post incident, and no conviction was record against the defendant.

This prosecution sends a strong message to approved providers that they have an overriding responsibility to ensure children are adequately supervised and protected from harm and hazard.

We are still seeing too many children leaving premises unattended. See our regulatory priority video for practical advice regarding the key controls that can help prevent these incidents.

More information

• Published enforcement action—Corporation of the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane—Centacare Administration Services
• Regulatory priority—outdoor space
• Incident prevention and management
• Adequate supervision
• Regulatory bulletins—for regulated early childhood education and care services in Queensland.