SA Child Sex Offender Register

What you need to know right now

South Australia's register is the Child Sex Offender Register, run by South Australia Police (SAPOL) under the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act 2006 (SA). It is not a fully open public register that anyone can browse. Most people are placed on it automatically when a court sentences them for a 'registrable offence' (a Class 1 or Class 2 offence in Schedule 1 of the Act), or when a court makes a registration order. Once on the register you must report a long list of personal details to police, keep them updated, and continue reporting for 8 years, 15 years or the rest of your life depending on your offending. Failing to report, or giving false information, is itself a criminal offence carrying up to $10,000 or 2 years imprisonment. If any of this affects you, call 1800 951 176 for free information now.

The law in South Australia

The register is governed by the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act 2006 (SA), which has operated since 2007 and is administered by SAPOL. Its purpose is to require people who commit sexual or other serious offences against children to keep police informed of their whereabouts and personal details, and to reduce the likelihood of reoffending. SAPOL manages SA registrants using the national ANCOR system (the Australian National Child Offender Register), part of the National Child Offender System that lets police share registration data across state and territory borders.

You become a 'registrable offender' in one of two ways. The most common is automatic: a court sentences you for a Class 1 or Class 2 offence listed in Schedule 1 of the Act (s 6). Class 1 offences are the most serious, such as offences involving sexual intercourse with a child; Class 2 covers a broad range of other child sexual and exploitation offences. The second way is by court order: under section 9 a court can make a child sex offender registration order against a person convicted of another offence if it is satisfied the person poses a risk to the sexual safety of children. There are some carve-outs, for example certain people sentenced only as children, or for a single older offence, are not caught.

Reporting is the heart of the scheme. After being sentenced or released, you must make your first report to police within 7 days (or within 14 days if you are entering South Australia from interstate or overseas) (s 11). You must report a detailed set of personal information and then keep it current, including your name and any aliases, where you live, your employment, vehicles, tattoos and distinguishing marks, phone numbers, email addresses, internet identities and social media accounts (ss 13, 15). Changes generally have to be reported within days, travel must be notified in advance, and any 'reportable contact' with a child must be reported within 2 days (s 20A). You also have to report in person periodically so police can verify your details.

How long you report for is set by section 34 and depends on your offending. In broad terms, a single less serious (Class 2) matter attracts a reporting period of about 8 years; a single Class 1 offence, or a more serious Class 2 matter, attracts about 15 years; and the most serious offending, or repeat registrable offending, attracts a reporting period for the remainder of your life. These periods are largely fixed by the Act and cannot simply be reduced because you have behaved well, although limited modification, exemption and suspension provisions exist (ss 66B, 66C).

The register also restricts how registrants live. A registrable offender must not engage in 'child-related work', and breaching that prohibition carries a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment (s 65). The Act also lets police and courts impose child sex offender prohibition orders and conditions, and creates offences around changing your name, failing to disclose your status to a parent or guardian in certain situations, and refusing to give police access to digital devices. Breaching the core reporting duties, or giving police false or misleading information, is an offence under the Act and is treated seriously by SA courts.

Importantly, the register itself is confidential and held by police, not published for the public to search. That changed in a limited way on 16 February 2026, when South Australia launched a three-tier public disclosure scheme under the Child Sex Offenders Registration (Public Register) Amendment Act 2024. The scheme does not make the whole register public; instead it lets SAPOL publish details of certain non-compliant offenders, and lets eligible members of the public apply for specific information through SAPOL's Digital Police Station.

The key SA law at a glance

Governing Act: Child Sex Offenders Registration Act 2006 (SA), in force since 2007, administered by South Australia Police (SAPOL).
Who goes on it: people sentenced for a Class 1 or Class 2 offence in Schedule 1 (s 6), or made subject to a registration order by a court (s 9).
First report: within 7 days of sentence or release (14 days if entering SA from elsewhere) (s 11).
What you report: name and aliases, address, employment, vehicles, tattoos, phone numbers, email, internet and social media details (ss 13, 15); reportable contact with a child within 2 days (s 20A).
Reporting period (s 34): about 8 years, 15 years, or life, depending on the class and seriousness of the offending and any prior registrable offences.
Failing to report or giving false or misleading information: criminal offence, maximum $10,000 or 2 years imprisonment (s 44); proceedings must start within 2 years (s 46).
Engaging in child-related work while registered: up to 5 years imprisonment (s 65).
The register is held by police and is NOT a fully searchable public list; a limited three-tier public disclosure scheme began on 16 February 2026.

Is South Australia's register public?

No, not in the way many people assume. The Child Sex Offender Register itself is a confidential police database. The public cannot log in and search for a neighbour. What changed on 16 February 2026 is that SA introduced a controlled, three-tier disclosure scheme run by SAPOL. Tier 1 lets police publish photos and details of wanted offenders who are non-compliant and whose whereabouts are unknown. Tier 2 lets eligible residents apply to view images of serious offenders living in their area. Tier 3 lets a parent or guardian apply to ask whether a specific person who has regular unsupervised contact with their child is a registrable offender. Misusing information obtained through the scheme is itself an offence, so it is not a free-for-all.

What this means in practice

What being on the register actually means for you depends on your offending and your circumstances. These are the common scenarios South Australians ask us about.

8-year reporting period

Typically applies to a single, less serious Class 2 matter. You report your details to police and keep them current for around eight years before your obligations end.

15-year reporting period

Typically applies to a single Class 1 offence, or a more serious Class 2 matter. Around fifteen years of ongoing reporting obligations under the Act.

Lifetime reporting

Applies to the most serious offending and to repeat registrable offenders. Reporting continues for the rest of your life, subject only to limited suspension provisions.

Registration by court order

Even where an offence is not automatically registrable, a court can order registration under section 9 if satisfied you pose a risk to the sexual safety of children.

Child-related work ban

While registered you cannot lawfully do child-related work. Breaching this carries up to 5 years imprisonment, separate from any reporting breach.

Breach prosecution

Missing a report, moving without notifying police, or giving false details can mean a fresh charge with a maximum of $10,000 or 2 years imprisonment.

What to do now — step by step

1

Find out exactly what you have been charged with or convicted of, and whether it is a Class 1 or Class 2 offence in Schedule 1 of the Act. This drives everything that follows.

2

Note every deadline in writing: your first report (7 or 14 days), routine reports, and any change you must notify. Treat each as a hard legal cut-off.

3

Gather the information police will want, including addresses, employment, vehicles, identifying marks, phone numbers and all email, internet and social media identities.

4

If you think a registration order may be sought, or you want to seek a modification, exemption or suspension, get advice before you go to court or to your reporting appointment.

5

Call Legal Hotline on 1800 951 176 for free information about how the register applies to you, and to be connected with a vetted South Australian criminal lawyer if you need representation.

Mistakes to avoid

⚠️

Assuming the 7-day clock is flexible. Your first report is due within 7 days of sentence or release, and there is no informal grace period. Diarise it immediately and report early if you can.

⚠️

Not updating details fast enough. Changing address, getting a new phone or email, a new car, a new tattoo or a new social media account all need to be reported within the time limits, not 'eventually'.

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Forgetting that digital identities count. Email addresses, internet usernames and social media accounts are reportable. Quietly opening a new account without telling police can be a breach.

⚠️

Believing good behaviour shortens the period. Reporting periods under section 34 are largely fixed by the Act; only the limited modification, exemption and suspension provisions can change them, and they have strict criteria.

Free & low-cost help in South Australia

South Australia has free and low-cost services that can help you understand the register and your obligations. These are independent of Legal Hotline.

Legal Services Commission of SA

Free legal information, a telephone advice line, and the online Law Handbook which explains the registration scheme in detail.

South Australia Police (SAPOL)

Administers the register and the public disclosure scheme, and explains reporting obligations and how to apply for information.

Child Sex Offenders Registration Act 2006 (SA)

The full text of the governing legislation, including the reporting periods and offences described on this page.

Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM)

Criminal law assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in South Australia.

Frequently asked questions — Child Sex Offenders Register in South Australia

Is the South Australian sex offender register available to the public?

No. The Child Sex Offender Register is a confidential police database held by SAPOL. The general public cannot search it. Since 16 February 2026, SA has run a limited three-tier disclosure scheme that lets police publish details of certain wanted, non-compliant offenders, and lets eligible people apply for specific information, but the full register is not open to public searching.

What law governs the register in SA?

The Child Sex Offenders Registration Act 2006 (SA), administered by South Australia Police. It has operated since 2007. SAPOL also uses the national ANCOR system to manage registrants and share information with police in other states and territories.

How long will I have to report for?

Section 34 sets the period by reference to your offending. Broadly, a single less serious matter attracts about 8 years, a single more serious offence attracts about 15 years, and the most serious or repeat offending attracts reporting for the rest of your life. The exact period depends on the class of offence and your prior record, so confirm yours with a lawyer.

When do I have to make my first report?

Within 7 days of being sentenced or released from custody in South Australia, or within 14 days if you are entering SA from interstate or overseas (s 11). The time limits are strict, so report as soon as you can rather than leaving it to the last day.

What information do I have to give police?

A detailed list including your name and aliases, where you live, your employment, vehicles, tattoos and distinguishing marks, phone numbers, email addresses, internet identities and social media accounts (ss 13, 15). You must keep these current and report changes within the required time, and report any reportable contact with a child within 2 days (s 20A).

What happens if I miss a report or get something wrong?

Failing to comply with your reporting obligations without a reasonable excuse, or giving false or misleading information, is a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of $10,000 or 2 years imprisonment (s 44). Proceedings must generally be started within 2 years (s 46). If you have missed a deadline, get advice quickly rather than ignoring it.

Can I work with children if I am on the register?

No. A registrable offender must not engage in child-related work, and breaching that prohibition carries a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment (s 65). This is separate from, and in addition to, working with children check requirements.

Can I ever get off the register early or reduce my reporting period?

The reporting periods in section 34 are largely fixed by the Act. There are limited provisions allowing the Commissioner to modify obligations or grant an exemption in narrow circumstances (s 66B), and to suspend obligations where a disability prevents compliance (s 66C). These have strict criteria, and some decisions can be appealed to the District Court (s 66E). Get legal advice before applying.

Can a court put me on the register even if my offence is not on the list?

Yes. Under section 9, a court can make a child sex offender registration order against a person convicted of another offence if it is satisfied the person poses a risk to the sexual safety of children. This is one reason it is important to get advice before sentencing.

I am a parent worried about someone near my child. What can I do?

Under SA's disclosure scheme, a parent or guardian can apply to SAPOL to find out whether a particular person who has regular unsupervised contact with their child is a registrable offender. You can also apply to view images of serious offenders living in your area. Applications are made through SAPOL's Digital Police Station and are assessed against eligibility rules. For information about your options, call 1800 951 176.

Sources & further reading

Last reviewed: 2026-06-19. Laws change — confirm current details with the linked official sources or call 1800 951 176.

Talk to a South Australian criminal lawyer

Registration matters are unforgiving. The deadlines are short, the obligations are detailed, and a single missed report can become a fresh criminal charge. If you are facing a registrable charge, worried about a registration order, or want to ask about a modification, exemption or suspension, a South Australian criminal lawyer can explain exactly how the Act applies to you and protect your position. Legal Hotline can connect you with a vetted local lawyer. Call 1800 951 176 to get started.

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The Child Sex Offenders Register in South Australia