Protecting Australia's Children

The National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children

On 30 April 2009 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed the first National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020.

In response to the increasing number of Australian children who are being exposed to child abuse and neglect, the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and the non-government sector through the Coalition of Organisations Committed to the Safety and Wellbeing of Australia’s Children are working together to implement a comprehensive national approach to protecting Australia’s children.

The National Framework outlines an ambitious, long term national approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of Australia’s children.  It aims to deliver a substantial and sustained reduction in levels of child abuse and neglect over time.  The National Framework is being implemented through a series of three-year action plans.

Implementing the first three-year action plan: 2009 - 2012

Implementation of the first three-year action plan (First Action Plan 2009-12) has been completed.   
It outlined 12 National Priorities that focused action by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments and the non-government sector during the first three years of the National Framework. An additional National Priority, Working with Children Checks, was identified by Ministers in 2010.

Achievements under the First Action Plan 2009-12 are outlined in the National Framework Annual Reports.

Significant deliverables under the First Action Plan 2009-12 include:

Implementing the second three-year action plan:  2012-15

The second three-year action plan (Second Action Plan 2012-15) of the National Framework was endorsed by Community and Disability Services Ministers on 17 August 2012.  The Second Action Plan will build on the firm foundation from the First Action Plan and will focus on working together with other areas of government and the community sector to:

  1. Embed National Priorities from the First Action Plan
  2. Deliver on National Priorities in the Second Action Plan
  3. Explore new priorities for the Second Action Plan and beyond.

Newsletters

This new e-newsletter is produced by the Department as a regular sector update to keep you informed about what the Government is doing to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Australia's children.

The National Children’s Commissioner

The Commonwealth Government has established a National Children’s Commissioner to help promote the rights, wellbeing and development of children and young people in Australia, and ensure their voices, including those of the most vulnerable, are heard at the national level.

The Australian Human Rights Commission Amendment (National Children’s Commissioner) Act 2012 was passed on 28 June 2012 to establish the National Children’s Commissioner position with the Australian Human Rights Commission.

On 25 February 2013, the Government announced the appointment of Ms Megan Mitchell as Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner. Her five year term started on 25 March 2013.

The establishment of a National Children’s Commissioner is the key achievement of the Advocating Nationally for Children and Young People national priority under the First Three-Year Action Plan of the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020.

Further information

Protecting Australia’s Children Funding

Content Updated: 3 May 2013