Summary
- At 30 June 1993 there were 12,132 children under care and protection orders, of which 8,824 (73%) were under guardianship orders, and 3,308 (27%) were under other orders for care and protection.
- There were more boys (6,191) than girls (5,939) under care and protection orders in Australia, and this was the case in all States and Territories except Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
- Of the 12,132 children under care and protection orders, 11,983 were aged 0-17 years. This represents a rate of 2.6 per 1,000 children aged 0-17 years for Australia. Tasmania (5.5) had the highest rate and Western Australia (1.4), the Australian Capital Territory (1.7) and the Northern Territory (1.7) the lowest.
- The majority of children under care and protection orders were placed in foster care (6,156 or 51%) or were living with parents or relatives (3,499 or 29%). Of those under guardianship orders most were in foster care (61%), while most children under non guardianship orders were living with parents or relatives (63%).
- The number of children under care and protection orders has fallen by 4% since 30 June 1991. Over this period the largest changes have been in Victoria (down 23% or 869 orders), the Australian Capital Territory (up 106% or 71 orders), and Tasmania (up 19% or 115 orders).