Summary

According to the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009–2020, all children have the right to have a safe, healthy, and happy childhood. Over 46,500 children and young people aged 0–17 were the subject of child protection substantiation in 2020–21. The National Framework represents a level of collaboration between Australian, State and Territory governments and non-government organisations to protect children.

There are two sets of indicators presented within this report that sit under the National Framework; the National Framework indicators and the National Standards indicators.

Measuring progress

The indicator quick reference guide summarises progress against all National Framework and National Standards indicators.

Related documents

The following related documents are also available:

  • Data visualisations are presented for all indicators with data available. The displays allow exploration of each indicator through customisable charts and tables. The displays allow you to explore each indicator through customisable charts and tables. Displays are currently available for 28 of the National Framework indicators and 21 of the National Standards indicators—use the links in the indicator lists to open the data visualisations (those listed in italics do not currently have a display available).
  • The supplementary data tables contain all data for the indicators, along with important notes on the scope and quality of data.
  • The indicator data availability document shows the most recent data for each indicator. This document also includes information about which indicators include data specific to Indigenous children.

All data available from 2009 are included in each release.

Additional information on the National Framework and National Standards, including the annual report series, is available on the Department of Social Services web page Protecting Australia's children.