Recommendation 105
• States and territories
The Australian Government provides services for families and children, including targeted services for vulnerable families. Information on programmes, services, benefits and payments can be found on the families and children page on the Department of Social Services’ website.
The Australian Government is working alongside state and territory governments and the community sector on the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020. The framework is a long term national approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of Australia’s children and aims to deliver a substantial and sustained reduction in levels of child abuse and neglect over time.
The Framework’s Third Action Plan (2015-18) includes a cross‑cutting focus area on improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to reduce the number needing child protection services.Australian governments fund and deliver a range of programmes aimed at addressing the inequalities faced by Indigenous people, including through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy. Information on the strategy and current programmes can be found on the Indigenous Advancement Strategy page on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.The Australian Government also provides specific payments (ABSTUDY) to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students access education, in particular when they live in remote areas and need to move away from home to study. For more information visit the Department of Human Services website
For information on state and territory policies and programmes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, visit:
- Australian Capital Territory – Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
- New South Wales – Office of Communities—Aboriginal Affairs
- Northern Territory – Office of Aboriginal Affairs
- Queensland – Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
- South Australia – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Community Advice and Support
- Tasmania – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Office of Aboriginal Affairs
- Victoria – Department of Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Victoria
- Western Australia – Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
For information about state and territory policies and programmes for children, visit:
- Australian Capital Territory – Community Services Directorate
- New South Wales – Department of Health and Office of the Children's Guardian
- Northern Territory – Territory Families
- Queensland – Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
- South Australia – Department for Communities and Social Inclusion
- Tasmania – Department for Child Protection
- Victoria – Department of Human Services
- Western Australia – Department for Child Protection and Family Support