New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory

Australian Capital Territory

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New South Wales

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in New South Wales are 10.5 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 2019 shows that New South Wales, in comparison with other states and territories, has:

• the highest rate of placement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children on permanent care orders and adopted, as well as
• a large drop in placement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers in one year (63.6 per cent to 52.5 per cent), as well as
• a commitment to provide 30 per cent of targeted early intervention funding to Aboriginal agencies by 2020, but lack of plan for achievement, and
• has a strong functioning state peak, the Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care State Secretariat (NSW) (AbSec).

However, New South Wales:

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

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

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

Which NSW organisations are with us?

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.