Summary
- At 30 June 1992 there were 12,159 children under care and protection orders, of which 8,952 (74%) were under guardianship orders, and 3,207 (26%) were under other orders for care and protection.
- There were more boys (6,196) than girls (5,963) under care and protection orders in Australia, and this was the case in all States and Territories except Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
- The majority (78%) of children under care and protection orders were placed in foster care (5,882) or were living with parents or relatives (3,639). Of those under guardianship orders, most were in foster care (57%), while most children under non-guardianship orders were living with parents or relatives (59%).
- The number of children under care and protection orders in Australia at 30 June 1992 decreased by 521 (4%) from the previous year. This was due to large decreases in Victoria of 711 (19%) and Western Australia of 77 (11%). This decrease was partially offset by increases in the Australian Capital Territory of 64 (95%) and Tasmania of 223 (37%).
- The numbers of children under guardianship orders increased at each age up to 15 years, whereas the numbers of children under non-guardianship orders were fairly evenly spread between those ages.