Man charged with allegedly producing child abuse material at six out-of-school hours care services in northern Sydney - NSW to Introduce Working With Children Check reforms this week
An AFP investigation has led to a man, David William James, 26, being charged with allegedly producing child abuse material through his employment with out-of-school hours (OOSH) care services in the northern suburbs of Sydney and the CBD between April 2021 and May 2024.
The Artarmon man has been remanded in custody since 12 October, 2024, and details of the investigation can now be revealed after court-issued non-publication orders have been revoked. The man currently faces 13 offences, being:
- Nine counts of aggravated use of child under 14 to make child abuse material, contrary to section 91G(3) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). This carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.
- One count of use of child under 14 to make child abuse material, contrary to section 91G(1)(a) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). This carries a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment.
- Two counts of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 91H(2) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). This carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment; and
- One count of contravene requirements of a s3LA order when the warrant relates to a serious offence, contrary to section 3LA(6) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth). This offence has a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
The AFP allege the man produced child abuse material of 10 victims, aged six and under, during his employment at six OOSH care services.
In July 2024, victim identification officers from the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) launched an investigation into an instance of child abuse material detected on the dark web.
Extensive inquiries by AFP Child Protection investigators resulted in the execution of a search warrant at the man’s home on 25 September, 2024, where a mobile phone and other electronic devices were seized.
The man was initially charged for refusing to provide his passcodes under section 3LA(6) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) and was refused bail at Parramatta Local Court on 25 September, 2024. He was granted bail at the same court on 30 September, 2024.
AFP forensic investigators gained access to the man’s devices and located alleged child abuse material, and the man was again arrested on 11 October, 2024. He has been remanded in custody since this arrest.
An application for a non-publication order was granted by the NSW Local Court on 12 October 2024, to allow investigators to undertake a comprehensive victim identification process and contact the parents and carers of the children identified in the child abuse material.
This order was lifted by the courts today (31 July, 2025), allowing police to communicate openly for the first time with the community on the investigation and the man’s alleged offending.
The AFP states all of the identified families have been contacted by the AFP. Support services have been offered and continue to be provided by NSW Health.
A Local Contact Point (LCP) process in line with the Joint Child Protection Response Program Local Contact Point Protocol, and under the guidelines of the Royal Commission, was established in June 2025.
The LCP was facilitated by the NSW Police Force, NSW Health, NSW Department of Communities and Justice with support from the AFP, NSW Department of Education as the NSW Early Childhood Education and Care Regulatory Authority and the Office of the Children’s Guardian.
This process resulted in 1200 letters being sent on 18 June, 2025, to parents and carers of children who attended six Sydney-based care services where the man had been employed and where evidence of offending was identified by the AFP.
The letter provided instructions on how parents or carers could connect with the local contact point if they had concerns about their child and seek advice on what support was available.
Further extensive inquiries have since been undertaken by police, and a further 52 OOSH care facilities and other providers, which had employed the man, have been contacted. The AFP holds no evidence to suggest any alleged offending took place at these facilities.
Parents and carers will be able to access Operation Arctile information, which has been activated today (31 July, 2025) for information on the time periods of the man’s employment, and for advice on appropriate support services, as well as who to contact if they believe they require further assistance.
The website is part of a coordinated agency response with NSW Health, NSW Department of Communities and Justice, NSW Department of Education and the Office of the Children’s Guardian.
AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Brett James said the AFP and other agencies remain committed to providing ongoing support to affected families.
“The AFP and our partners are committed to supporting those families whose children’s innocence was allegedly violated by a man trusted to take care of them,” Acting Assistant Commissioner James said.
“Any form of child sexual abuse is confronting. Even more so when the alleged perpetrator is an individual trusted with the care of our youth.
“AFP investigators have carefully scrutinised the available evidence to identify the scale and scope of the alleged offending. There is no evidence to suggest the man’s alleged offending took place in out-of-school-hours facilities or other care providers which have not yet been contacted by law enforcement.
“If parents are concerned, please visit the website dedicated to supporting families and the community seeking further information about the AFP investigation.
“The AFP and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to combatting child sex predators and I am extremely proud of the work our investigators do, each and every day, to ensure the protection of our children.”
NSW Acting Children’s Guardian, Rachael Ward, acknowledged the work of the AFP and other authorities leading to charges against the alleged perpetrator.
“Most abusers offend more than once before they are reported or charged, which is why organisations must commit to the Child Safe Standards, and not solely rely on the Working with Children Check to keep children safe,” she said.
The individual is a former employee of the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF). He was employed as a probationary constable from December 2021 to September 2022 and, after failing to complete his probation, continued in a civilian capacity until his resignation in May 2023.
The New South Wales Police Force stated on Thursday ''During his employment, the man failed to seek the required approval to engage in secondary employment, and as such, police were unaware of his concurrent role in the childcare sector.
We acknowledge the seriousness of the allegations and condemn any behaviour that places our community’s most vulnerable members at risk.
The NSWPF will continue to assist the AFP in its investigation and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all affected individuals.
As this remains an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.''
Police allege Mr. James committed offences at the following six centres: Pyrmont OSHC – City of Sydney; OSHClub – Barker College; Willoughby Kids House; Helping Hands – St Ives Park Public School; St Ives OSHC Centre – Kidzone; and Helping Hands – Lane Cove West.
Ten peninsula facilities, including Vacation Care centres run by the Northern Beaches Council, are listed among the 58 places Mr. James was employed. The Northern Beaches Council issued a Statement by CEO Scott Phillips, on Thursday:
''Today the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has released information about a childcare worker charged with alleged child abuse offences.
It also includes the places the accused offender worked at which includes Beacon Hill, Cromer, Forestville and Manly Vale vacation care services.
While this is alarming news for our community, the AFP has told us that our services are not directly involved in this investigation.
The AFP has asked us to reassure families and carers using our services that there is no evidence or information indicating any offending has been committed at any of those services.
We trust in the AFP to conduct a thorough investigation and will provide any support if required.
Parents and carers can access Operation Article information, which has been activated today (31 July, 2025) for information on the time periods of the man’s employment, for advice on appropriate support services, and who to contact if they believe they require further assistance.
The AFP also says all of the identified families have been contacted by the AFP and offered support services by NSW Health.
Whilst this is a shock to us all, we will keep families updated with any relevant information as it comes to hand.''
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the ACCCE is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visit the ACCCE website.
NSW to Introduce Working With Children Check reforms this week
On Thursday, July 31, the Minns Labor Government stated it will introduce legislation into Parliament to strengthen Working with Children Checks (WWCC) to better protect children from harm this coming week.
The Government states its reforms will ensure that only the independent child safety regulator – the Office of the Children’s Guardian – will be responsible for reviewing WWCC decisions, removing external appeal pathways through the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).
Currently, even people with serious convictions – including for sexual assault – can appeal a WWCC refusal to NCAT.
In some cases, this has resulted in the granting of ‘enabling orders’ that allow individuals previously deemed ineligible or disqualified to work with children.
Under these new laws, the Office of the Children’s Guardian will become the sole decision-maker and reviewer of WWCC applications, ensuring that child safety remains in the hands of the specialist regulator best equipped to assess risk.
These changes will also move NDIS Worker Checks appeals to the OCG, who issue NDIS Worker Checks and have expertise in safety for people with disability.
To strengthen protections nationally, the NSW Government will also lead calls at National Cabinet for a searchable national register of WWCC holders, so parents can be confident that individuals working with children have been properly cleared – no matter which state or territory they’ve previously worked in.
NSW will work with the Commonwealth and other jurisdictions to integrate WWCC systems and close information gaps that offenders may exploit by moving interstate.
This legislation builds on the Minns Labor Government’s broader reform agenda to improve child safety in early education and care, including:
- Higher fines for service breaches;
- A new, standalone regulator with stronger enforcement powers;
- Greater transparency for families on the safety record of providers;
- A CCTV trial to improve oversight of underperforming services.
Premier Chris Minns said:
“Keeping children safe — whether they’re in a classroom, an early learning centre or the care of adults in any setting must be a national priority.
“These reforms send a clear message that the safety of children comes first.”
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"NSW is pressing ahead with reforms we announced in June. Our Government is prepared to lead the way when it comes to reforming the sector.
“Reforming early childhood education and care regulation across the country is a matter of urgency and I will be meeting with Education Ministers in the coming weeks to push for progress on these reforms.”
Minister for Families and Communities, and Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington said:
“We’re strengthening the system so it works as intended – to keep children safe.
“Our message to convicted sex offenders is clear. Don’t bother applying for a Working with Children Check, because you won’t be getting one.”