Introduction and policy landscape
Ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are safe from harm and are able to thrive by remaining connected to their family, community and culture is a key focus of governments and community leaders. In 2021–22, about 58,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children came into contact with child protection systems.
Source: CPA 2021–22: Insights, data table S2.3.
In December 2021, Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021–2031 (Safe and Supported) was released, with the Action Plans launched in January 2023 (DSS 2022). Safe and Supported was developed, and continues to be driven, by shared decision-making between the Commonwealth, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, state and territory governments and collaboratively with the non-government sector. Safe and Supported’s vision is for children in Australia to reach their full potential by growing up safe and supported, free from harm and neglect. Safe and Supported contributes directly to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap target 12 which aims to reduce the rate of over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care by 45% by 2031.
Through the advocacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Aboriginal community-controlled Organisations, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP) was committed to by the Commonwealth and state and territory governments in the previous National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009–2020 (AIFS 2022; DSS 2021; SNAICC 2017), and continues to be of critical importance in Safe and Supported. The Placement Principle is centred on the 5 elements of Prevention, Partnership, Placement, Participation and Connection. State and territory governments responsible for child protection services are continuing to work towards implementing all five elements of the ATSICPP in legislation, policy, practice, programs and accountability frameworks.
AIFS (Australian Institute of Family Studies) (2022) Australian child protection legislation, AIFS, accessed 20 October 2023.
DSS (Department of Social Services) (2021) The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021 2031, DSS, accessed 4 October 2023.
DSS (2022) Safe and Supported: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Action Plan 2023-2026, DSS, accessed 4 October 2023.
SNAICC National Voice for our Children (2017) Understanding and applying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle: a resource for legislation, policy, and program development, SNAICC, accessed 4 October 2023.