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ARTICLE · 31 JULY 2026

Queensland Proposes To Expand Vicarious Liability For Institutional Child Abuse

Barry Nilsson
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A Bill before the Queensland Parliament signals a major shift aimed at expanding the circumstances in which Queensland institutions may be held vicariously liable for child abuse perpetrated by individuals in relationships ‘akin to employment’.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Megan Daniel
Megan Daniel
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Warning: This article contains details about sexual abuse which may be upsetting for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.

A Bill before the Queensland Parliament signals a major shift aimed at expanding the circumstances in which Queensland institutions may be held vicariously liable for child abuse perpetrated by individuals in relationships ‘akin to employment’.

The Civil Liability (Holding Institutions Accountable for Child Abuse) Amendment Bill 2026 (the Bill) was introduced into the Queensland Parliament in April 2026.

The proposed reforms follow the High Court’s decision in Bird v DP (A Pseudonym) [2024] HCA 41 (Bird), discussed in our November 2024 insight, ‘High Court rules on vicarious liability and permanent stays in historical abuse matters’.

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