This report tracks progress towards ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people grow up safe, cared for and connected to their families, communities and culture. 

In particular, the report examines government actions to address the over-representation and the outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection systems, finding that Australia will fail to meet Closing the Gap Target 13 (to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home-care (OOHC) by 45% by 2031) without substantial change to child protection systems and practices.

The report calls for a shift in funding priorities from crisis-driven responses to preventative and early intervention services, emphasizing the need for greater investment in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and genuine partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The report also highlights the importance of addressing structural factors such as socio-economic disadvantage and lack of access to culturally safe services.

Key findings

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are over-represented at every stage of the child protection process.
•  Unborn reports, or pre-birth notifications to child protection authorities, are significantly higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, often leading to the removal of infants from their families.
• The rate of reunification for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children remains low, and those reunified are more likely to re-enter OOHC. 
• Despite the National Agreement’s commitment to building Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCO) capacity, investment in these organisations remains insufficient, limiting their ability to provide culturally safe and responsive family support and child protection services.

Key recommendations

• Commit to a national, systematic, and sustainable approach to funding ACCO-led integrated early years services, ensuring equitable access and coverage across the country.
• Set investment and commissioning targets for ACCOs to be equivalent to the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children involved in child protection systems.
• Develop community-based, youth-led models for the participation of children and young people in matters that affect them.
• End the adoption of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from OOHC.
• Establish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies in each jurisdiction.
• Establish Commissioners for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children nationally and in every state and territory.