A primary school principal has been arrested over allegedly possessing child exploitation material and grooming children.

Patric Brady, 54, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after police searched his home at Pimpama, on the northern end of the Gold Coast.

Brady has been the highly respected principal at nearby Oxenford State School since October 2018.

A Queensland Police spokesperson noted there is ‘no indication’ his alleged offending was related to his employment.

The spokesperson added the state’s Department of Education is supporting the police investigation and providing ongoing support to the school community. 

It will be alleged he was found to be in possession of the material as well as encrypted messaging services used to groom children in the Philippines.

He was charged with one count of possessing child exploitation material and three counts of soliciting child abuse material by using a carriage service.

Brady also faces one count each of grooming a person to make it easier to engage in sexual activity with a child outside of Australia, and grooming a child to engage in sexual activity outside of Australia. 

The principal of Oxenford State School, Patric Brady (pictured), has been charged over allegedly possessing child exploitation material and grooming children

The arrest stemmed from a joint effort between Queensland Police officers and the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).

Ongoing investigations into the extent of the alleged offences are led by Queensland Police’s Task Force Argos, which specialises in online child exploitation and abuse.

Argos detective inspector, Glen Donaldson, said the arrest showed officers were leaving ‘no stone unturned’ in efforts to identify alleged offenders.

‘The issue of Live Online Child Sexual Abuse (LOCSA) of vulnerable children across the world is a significant concern and remains a targeting priority of law enforcement across Australia,’ Mr Donaldson said.

‘Law enforcement continue to share intelligence on a daily basis, working together to identify those who seek to hide on platforms they believe make them anonymous.

‘Everything you do online leaves a trace, and our detectives will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to identify and prosecute offenders.’

Brady also faces one count each of grooming a person to make it easier to engage in sexual activity with a child outside of Australia, and grooming a child to engage in sexual activity outside of Australia (pictured, Brady during the police search)

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Hayden Wells said the result was a great example of law enforcement working together to protect children.

‘This arrest is a testament to the joint effort of the ACCCE Operations Development and Disruption Unit, Intelligence Fusion Cell, and the QPS, who all work tirelessly to identify, pursue and prosecute those involved in child exploitation,’ Mr Wells said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said it is aware an ’employee was arrested’ and is providing counselling to those who require it.

‘The department is supporting the police investigation and is providing ongoing support to the affected school community,’ the spokesperson said.

‘Counselling and guidance services are available for anyone requiring support.

‘The department is unable to comment further on matters before the courts.’

Brady was granted bail at Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday having previously been refused it by police after his arrest, the Courier Mail reports. 

He is expected to return to court on September 12.