Family Matters

Strong communities. Strong culture. Stronger children.

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Western Australia

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Western Australia are 16.7 times more likely to be removed from their families by child protection services than non-Indigenous children, the highest rate across all states and territories, and significantly higher than the national average of 9.7 times.

Meeting the Family Matters Building Blocks

The Family Matters Report 2020 shows that Western Australia, in comparison with other states and territories, has:

  • the lowest proportion of expenditure on family support and intensive family support (5.3%)
  • only 4% of Aboriginal children in care supported by one ACCO and sector proposals for ACCO out-of-home care growth remain unfunded
  • a two-year pilot announced for Aboriginal family-led decision-making
  • legislative reforms in 2020 that failed to address key concerns raised by Aboriginal organisations
  • stalled strategies focused on reducing Aboriginal children in care, according to community voices
  • lowest % of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care reunified (11%)
    and much lower than the non-Indigenous rate
  • placement of Aboriginal children with Aboriginal carers slightly above national average (47.6%)
  • no dedicated commissioner for Aboriginal children
  • no significant progress evident on 2019 commitment to develop a 10-year roadmap to address Aboriginal overrepresentation
    in out-of-home care.

See the 2020 Western Australia Government’s data and written response to Family Matters.

See the 2020 community’s response to how Western Australia is fairing.

See the 2019 Government of Western Australia’s data and written response to Family Matters.

See the 2019 local community’s response to how Western Australia is fairing.

See the 2018 Government of Western Australia’s response to Family Matters.

See the 2018 local community’s response to how Western Australia is fairing.

See the 2017 Government of Western Australia’s response to Family Matters.

Who’s with us in Western Australia?

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 the six key principles of the campaign.

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

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

Contacts

Family Matters Western Australia
Maureen O’Meara, Chair
maureen@aarnja.org.au
Yorganop
(08) 9321 9090
Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia
(08) 9265 6666
Department for Child Protection and Family Support, Western Australia
(08) 9222 2555
StrongFamilies
(08) 9223 1111
Child Care Access Hotline
1800 670 305
Playgroup Western Australia
1800 171 882

For further contacts and FAQs specific to Western Australia, please download the Western Australia Community Resource Guide.

Events

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About Us

Family Matters is Australia’s
national campaign to ensure
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander children grow up safe
and cared for surrounded by
their own family, community and
culture.
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