What is Daniel’s Law in Qld and how does it affect child sex offence reporting?
Daniel’s Law is a significant change to Queensland criminal law. From 31 December 2025, it allows limited public disclosure of information held on the Child Protection Register in specific situations, while also creating serious criminal offences for misuse of that information.
If you are subject to reporting obligations, supervision, or police monitoring, Daniel’s Law may affect your privacy and exposure to public identification. If you are a member of the public, improper use or sharing of information disclosed under the scheme can result in criminal charges.
At a glance – Daniel’s Law in Qld
Legislation – Community Protection and Public Child Sex Offender Register (Daniel’s Law) Act 2025
Commencement – 31 December 2025
Amends – Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) Act 2004 (Qld)
New Part – Part 5AA
Purpose – limited public disclosure to increase community safety
New criminal offences – intimidation or harassment, and unauthorised publication
Maximum penalty – up to 10 years imprisonment
What is Daniel’s Law?
Daniel’s Law introduces Queensland’s first statutory public disclosure scheme relating to people recorded on the Child Protection Register or subject to supervision under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld).
It gives the Police Commissioner discretionary powers to disclose limited information in defined circumstances. Disclosure is never automatic and is subject to strict controls, exclusions, and public interest considerations.
At the same time, Parliament has deliberately criminalised misuse of disclosed information to prevent vigilantism, harassment, and online targeting.
What information can be disclosed?
The law narrowly defines what can be disclosed as “personal details”.
This includes:
Name
Year of birth
Photograph or digital image
A general description of the locality where the person resides or can usually be found
Exact addresses and detailed location data are not disclosed.
When can information be disclosed under Daniel’s Law?
There are types of applications:
Missing reportable person webpage - Police may publish limited identifying information where a person has failed to comply with reporting obligations or breached a supervision order and their whereabouts are unknown. This publication is intended to assist community safety and police investigations. Once police locate the person, the information must be removed.
Locality search applications - Eligible Qld residents can apply to view photographs of certain people recorded as living in the same locality. To apply, you must:
Be a Queensland resident
Provide proof of address using approved identification
Meet eligibility criteria set by police
Parent or guardian disclosure applications - Police may publish limited identifying information where a person has failed to comply with reporting obligations or breached a supervision order and their whereabouts are unknown. This publication is intended to assist community safety and police investigations. Once police locate the person, the information must be removed.
Daniel’s Law creates two new criminal offences for misuse
This is the area that exposes many people to unexpected criminal liability.
Intimidation or harassment (section 74AJ)
It is a serious criminal offence to engage in, or incite, intimidation or harassment of a person identified through Daniel’s Law. The legislation expressly includes conduct commonly described as vigilantism. There are 2 types of offences:
Intentional intimidation or harassment - Maximum penalty – 10 years imprisonment
Conduct likely to intimidate or harass - Maximum penalty – 3 years imprisonment
Importantly, this offence captures online behaviour, including posts, comments, encouragement, or organising others to act. Physical confrontation is not required.
Unauthorised publication of identifying information (section 74AK)
It is also a criminal offence to display, distribute, or publish identifying information obtained under Daniel’s Law without written approval from the Police Commissioner.
Maximum penalty – 3 years imprisonment.
This includes:
Sharing screenshots
Forwarding images or details
Posting on social media
Displaying information in public places
Distributing material in schools or other public venues
Even sharing information with ‘protective’ or ‘community awareness’ motives can still be unlawful.
Who is protected from disclosure?
Daniel’s Law expressly prohibits disclosure for certain categories, including:
People who were children at the time of the relevant conduct
People whose reportable conduct occurred only as a child
People protected by court orders restricting identification
Certain supervised categories under the Act
Police must also consider victim impact, public interest, and the risk of prejudice to investigations or proceedings.
How Daniel’s Law can affect you
Depending on your circumstances, Daniel’s Law may:
Expose you to public identification in limited situations
Increase risks of harassment or vigilantism
Affect reporting or supervision conditions
Create serious criminal liability for misuse of information
Early advice can influence how police approach disclosure and how risks are managed.
What to do if Daniel’s Law affects you
If you are concerned about disclosure, investigation, or alleged misuse:
Do not share or repost any information
Do not comment publicly or privately
Do not contact any identified person
Do not speak to police without legal advice
Our Brisbane criminal defence lawyers regularly advise on complex matters involving reporting obligations, disclosure decisions, and misuse allegations related to sexual offences in Qld.
FAQ - Daniel’s Law in Qld
Can I be charged just for sharing information online?
Yes. Sharing identifying information obtained through Daniel’s Law without written approval can amount to a criminal offence, even if the information appears to already be public.
Is harassment limited to physical behaviour?
No. Online posts, messages, encouragement, or organising others can be enough to constitute intimidation or harassment under the Act.
Does Daniel’s Law apply to everyone on the register?
No. Disclosure is discretionary and expressly prohibited for certain categories, including people whose relevant conduct occurred only as a child or where court orders restrict identification.
Can police refuse to disclose information even if I apply?
Yes. Police are not required to disclose information and must consider public interest, victim impact, and other relevant factors before making a decision.
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Last updated January 2026