The Community Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2005 provides the legislative framework for the registration of offenders who commit sex offences against adults and children.

The Tasmanian legislation is consistent with, and in some areas stronger, than laws in other jurisdictions.

The Act provides for the non-disclosure (section 45) of information associated with the Community Protection Register. However there is a misconception about the powers contained in the Community Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2005.

The Act does not provide the Commissioner of Police or any other person with the authority to prevent a reportable offender from leaving the state.

The reportable offender is required to notify the Registrar of the Community Protection Register, of the intended travel as per the Act;
19. Intended absence from Tasmania to be reported

      (1) This section applies to a reportable offender who intends to leave Tasmania for 7 or more consecutive days to travel elsewhere.
      (2) At least 14 days before leaving Tasmania, the reportable offender must report the intended travel to the Registrar and must provide –
(a) details of each State, Territory or country to which he or she intends to go while out of Tasmania; and
(b) details of the approximate dates of the periods during which he or she intends to be in each of those States, Territories or countries; and
(c) details of each address or location within each State, Territory or country at which he or she intends to reside (to the extent that they are known) and the approximate dates of the periods during which he or she intends to reside at those addresses or locations; and
(d) if he or she intends to return to Tasmania, the approximate date on which he or she intends to return; and
(e) if he or she does not intend to return to Tasmania, a statement of that intention; and
(f) all valid passports for inspection.
      (2A) A reportable offender must present all valid passports to the Registrar or an authorised person for inspection within 7 days after returning to Tasmania.
      (3) A reportable offender, whether in Tasmania or elsewhere, who decides to make a change to anything presented to the Registrar or an authorised person under subsection (2A) must, as soon as practicable, notify the Registrar of the change.
      (4) For the purposes of subsection (3), the reportable offender must make the notification –
(a) by facsimile or email sent to the Registrar; or
(b) in any other manner permitted by the Registrar.