Conversation guides: adult to child
Use this practical resource or share with parents and carers to support conversations about consent with children and young people, including age-specific guidance and preparation tips.
Open this resource
Hosted on https://www.consent.gov.au/ • Opens in a new tab
How this resource can help
Use this resource to
Talk with children and young people about consent in ways tailored to their age
Share with parents and carers to support conversations with their child
Build understanding of consent from an early age
It covers
Why it is important to talk about consent with children and young people at every age
Concrete tips for planning conversations about consent
The five core components of consent, with age-specific explanations and examples of what to say
How consent is sometimes represented in online spaces, including in pornography, and relevant discussion prompts tailored to different age groups
More information
This is part of a series of consent conversation guides, all available at the same link and available as PDF downloads. Start with the adult-to-adult guide to build your understanding and confidence talking about consent with other adults before talking with children. The guides are available in multiple languages. A companion guide for First Nations communities is also available.
Open this resource
Hosted on https://www.consent.gov.au/ • Opens in a new tab
If you are a parent or carer
You’re in the right place! This resource is for you – you can use it to help you talk to your child about consent, no matter their age. If you’re worried about something specific, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Last reviewed by Together We Can: 26 October 2026
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Problematic and harmful sexual behaviour affects children, families, and communities. Understanding it clearly is the first step toward effective prevention, recognition, and response.
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Parents and carers
If you’re a parent or carer seeking information or worrying about a behaviour, you're not alone. Find resources to help you understand child sexual development, support safety, and respond to concerns about sexual behaviour.
Children and young people
It’s normal to have questions about your body, feelings, sex and relationships. If you’re a young person looking for information – head here. We’ve got information just for you.