Queensland solicitors and legal practices are being reminded to review their blue card obligations following a reported incident in which a solicitor was unable to appear before the Childrens Court because they did not hold a required blue card.
With the transition period for Queensland’s blue card reforms now complete, lawyers providing child-related legal support services should ensure they understand whether the requirements apply to their work and have taken any necessary steps to comply.
Legal practices should also review any organisational obligations under the scheme and confirm that relevant staff hold current blue cards where required.
The reforms, introduced in 2025, removed the previous exemption that applied to lawyers and legal support staff providing certain child-related legal support services. Practitioners who require a blue card must now hold one before undertaking that work.
The changes form part of broader reforms to Queensland’s blue card framework aimed at strengthening safeguards for children and expanding screening requirements across a range of professions and sectors working with children.
Practitioners should not assume that admission as a solicitor exempts them from the blue card scheme. Whether a blue card is required depends on the nature of the work being undertaken. Queensland Government guidance states that lawyers whose usual duties involve providing legal support or advocacy to children may require a blue card.
Further information is available on the Queensland Government’s website.
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