New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory

Australian Capital Territory

Please click here or on the map to find out about the Australian Capital Territory information

New South Wales

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in New South Wales are 9.5 times more likely to be removed from their families by child protection services than non-Indigenous children, the third lowest rate across all states and territories, but higher than the national average of 10.1 times.

Meeting the Family Matters Building Blocks

The Family Matters Report 2020 shows that New South Wales, in comparison with other states and territories, has:

• the highest placement with Aboriginal carers (51.5%), but downward trend over 5 years
• the highest rate of Aboriginal children on track against all 5 AEDC domains (42%)
• the highest reported proportion of expenditure on ACCOs (5.9%), with most spent on out-of-home care services
• has a strong functioning state peak, the Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care State Secretariat (NSW) (AbSec),  but large funding cuts in 2020.

However, New South Wales:

• has the highest use of permanent care orders for Aboriginal children (18.2 per 1000) and second highest adoptions (7), including 6 to non-Indigenous people, but no data on reunification or whether children in permanent care are with Aboriginal carers
• does not have a dedicated and monitored strategy to address over-representation.
• has a concerning level of policy priority to adoption and inflexible timeframes for legal permanent care; and
• shows limited progress and investment in their commitment to transfer out-of-home care services to community-controlled organisations.

See the 2020 New South Wales Government’s data and written response to Family Matters.

See the 2020 community’s response to how New South Wales is fairing.

See the 2019 New South Wales Government’s data and written response to Family Matters.

See the 2019 community’s response to how New South Wales is fairing.

See the 2018 New South Wales Government’s response to Family Matters.

See the 2018 Community’s response to how New South Wales is fairing.

See the 2017 New South Wales Government’s response to Family Matters.

Who’s with us in New South Wales?

Over 150 organisations, politicians, commissioners and guardians from across Australia have signed the Family Matters Statement of Commitment, signalling their intent to work in accordance with key principles of the campaign.

Visit our Who’s With Us? page to view everyone who has signed the Statement of Commitment in New South Wales.

Join us to ensure you’re playing your part in standing up for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Contacts

For further contacts and FAQs specific to New South Wales, please download the New South Wales Community Resource Guide, which has been developed by Family Matters and Grandmothers Against Removals NSW.