Convicted Sex Offender and Former NSW Headmaster Permanently Banned From Counselling Roles

A convicted sex offender and former New South Wales headmaster has been slapped with a lifetime ban from all counselling work, following breaches of strict child protection orders. The decision, handed down by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) this week, has reignited conversations about safeguarding vulnerable groups across the state.

Who is the Banned Former Headmaster?

The individual, who led a regional NSW primary school for 12 years until 2019, was convicted of six counts of indecent assault against students in 2022. He served a 3-year prison sentence before being released on parole in January 2024, subject to strict conditions barring him from working with children or vulnerable people.

Authorities say he held a valid counselling qualification obtained prior to his conviction, which he attempted to use to secure unauthorised work with at-risk youth.

Why Was He Banned From Counselling?

NCAT heard evidence that the former headmaster had worked as an unregistered volunteer counsellor at a western Sydney community centre for 6 weeks, without disclosing his criminal record to employers or his parole officer.

Investigators also found he had contacted two former students via private social media accounts, directly violating his parole conditions. Tribunal member Sarah Lee said the ban was necessary to protect public safety.

Key Parole Breaches Outlined

• Failed to disclose criminal record to community centre employers
• Contacted former students via unmonitored social media platforms
• Did not report volunteer work to assigned parole officer within required 48-hour window
• Attempted to apply for paid counselling roles at two NSW youth charities

What Does This Mean for NSW Child Protection?

This ruling is part of a broader NSW government push to tighten loopholes in Working With Children Check (WWCC) regulations. Counselling roles were previously exempt from mandatory WWCC checks for volunteer positions, a gap the state has now closed.

NSW Education Minister Prue Car said the ban sends a clear message that convicted offenders have no place in roles that interact with vulnerable people. "We will not hesitate to take action against anyone who puts children at risk," she said in a public statement.

New Counselling Sector Regulations

1. All counselling roles, including unpaid volunteers, now require a valid WWCC
2. Counselling providers must conduct annual criminal history checks for all staff
3. Employers face fines of up to $110,000 for hiring staff with undisclosed criminal records
4. Parole officers will receive automated alerts for any counselling job applications from convicted offenders

How Parents and Carers Can Stay Safe

Families across NSW are urged to take proactive steps to verify the credentials of anyone working with their children. Simple checks can prevent unauthorised individuals from accessing vulnerable young people.

• Check a counsellor’s WWCC status instantly via the NSW Government’s online verification portal
• Ask schools and youth groups for written proof of staff criminal history checks
• Report any suspicious unauthorised counselling activity to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
• Monitor children’s social media activity for contact from unknown adults

The lifetime ban takes effect immediately, with the former headmaster’s name added to a public register of barred counselling workers. Authorities say further investigations into the community centre that hired him are ongoing.