TIL the federal department running Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre,

A closer look at TIL the federal department running Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre,

What happened at Questacon

A Comcare investigation found that in July 2022 a spark from a hands-on plasma globe exhibit allegedly ignited alcohol-based hand sanitiser that had been supplied by Questacon. The Guardian report says a nine-year-old visitor was seriously burned on their hands and wrists as a result. The plasma ball exhibit was removed after the incident and Questacon implemented other actions.

Why the federal department is involved

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) runs Questacon and has been charged by the commonwealth director of public prosecutions with breaching the Work Health and Safety Act. The CDPP alleges the department failed in its primary health and safety duty and could have eliminated or minimised risks through measures such as removing the globes after discovering the risks, limiting operation to trained staff, providing adequate warnings, or providing a non-alcohol based sanitiser. The alleged offence is a category 2 criminal offence with a maximum penalty of $1.5m. The matter is listed for mention at the ACT magistrates court on 12 September.

Who might find this report useful

Visitors to Questacon, parents and carers of children who visit hands-on science centres, and people interested in museum safety or workplace health and safety law in Australia will find the facts in this article relevant. It details an incident, the agency responsible for the venue, the nature of the charges, and actions taken by Questacon after the incident.

Questions people ask about TIL the federal department running Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre,

Is Questacon still open after the incident?

The article does not state whether Questacon as a whole was closed; it only says the plasma ball exhibit was removed and other actions were implemented.

Has the Department of Industry, Science and Resources been fined yet?

The article says the DISR has been charged and could face a maximum penalty of $1.5m, but it does not report any fine having been imposed.

When is the court case scheduled?

The matter is listed for a mention at the ACT magistrates court on 12 September, according to the report.

TIL the federal department running Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre, was shared on NexURLs by Nexis on October 26, 2026, in Science.