The Queensland Intermediary Scheme (QIS) aims to overcome communication barriers and create a more accessible justice system by facilitating the communication of evidence that may not otherwise be heard.
QIS gets funding to help eligible witnesses in child sexual offence cases. This support will last until the end of the 2028/2029 financial year. Services are available in Brisbane and Cairns regions.
How the Queensland Intermediary Scheme works
Intermediaries are key in:
- improving evidence quality
- helping police, legal professionals, and courts understand the needs of vulnerable witnesses
- enhancing access to justice
- promoting respectful responses to child sexual offence allegations.
Who can benefit?
Vulnerable witnesses may find it hard to give evidence for a variety of reasons including:
- very young or old age
- cognitive impairments
- trauma
- learning disabilities
- mental health conditions
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or autism.
Intermediaries from the QIS help courts, legal professionals and police obtain the best evidence by recommending adaptations to address the communication needs of vulnerable witnesses. A referral to QIS is made through Qld Police Service or the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Eligibility for intermediary support
Currently, QIS services are available to prosecution witnesses in child sexual offence cases in Brisbane and Cairns who:
- are under 16 years old, or
- have a mental impairment, or
- have difficulty communicating.
Referrals to the QIS must be made by the Queensland Police Service or the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Referrals are made by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions following the court making an order appointing an intermediary for the witness.
If you think an intermediary could help a witness in a case outside these criteria, please email QIS to request consideration of an out-of-scope referral.
Making a referral
The process for requesting an intermediary has changed.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) should use the Referral Form (XLSX, 8.0 MB) to request the services of an intermediary. This form is aimed to be more accessible and provide more flexibility for users.
After the referral is received, you will receive an email with a QIS Referral Number (e.g. QIS261234). A QIS Program Support Officer will review the referral and consider whether the scheme can assist. If the scheme can assist, the QIS Program Support Officer will contact an intermediary for their availability. You will be contacted to discuss arrangements and the QIS may request other information needed for a witness assessment.
For assistance completing a referral, contact the QIS team by email at intermediaryscheme@justice.qld.gov.au or by phone on (07) 3738 7503.
Relevant legislation
The framework for QIS is set under Chapter 2, Division 4C of the Evidence Act 1977 (Qld).
