Overview
Culture, language and connection to community and Country all support children and young people to thrive. Community-led responses that focus on prevention and early intervention are critical for reducing the number of Aboriginal children and young people in child protection and care.
Measures under Goal 2 have worsened
More Aboriginal children and young people are in the care system, but fewer are in care with a cultural plan. Most Aboriginal children in the care system are in the care of relatives or kin and more children on a protection order are under the direct authority of an ACCO in 2024-25.
There are more Aboriginal children reunified with their parents within 12 months but also more children returning to the care system within 12 months.
Goal 2 directly aligns with the following Closing the Gap Outcome and Target
Outcome 12: Aboriginal children are not over-represented in the child protection system.
- Target 12: By 2031, reduce the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out of home care by 45 per cent.
Closing the Gap - How Victoria is tracking nationally
Outcome 12: In 2024, the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–17 years in out of home care was 50.3 per 1,000 children across Australia, compared to 90.5 per 1,000 children in Victoria. Nationally and in Victoria, these rates are worsening compared to the baseline year (2019).
Data Note
All measures under this goal are reported on.
2.1 Eliminate the over-representation of Aboriginal children and young people in care
Measure 2.1.1 Rate and number of children and young people in care
What does the data say?
In 2024–25, there were 3,047 Aboriginal children in out of home care in Victoria. This is a rate of 95.8 children per 1,000.
Does the data show improvement or decline?
There were 180 more Aboriginal children in out of home care in 2024-25 than in 2023-24, and 1,171 more than in 2015-26. When looking at the rate per 1,000 children, this figure has grown by 15.9 in the last decade, from 79.9 in 2015–16. The rate of Aboriginal children in out of home care has been increasing since 2017–18.
How does this compare with non-Aboriginal results?
In 2024–25, 6,350 non-Aboriginal children were in out of home care in Victoria. This is a rate of 4.4 children per 1,000. Aboriginal children were 21.8 times more likely to be in out of home care than their non-Aboriginal peers in 2024-25.
Over the long term, the rate of non-Aboriginal children in out of home care has remained relatively stable. In 2017-18, it was 4.3 per 1,000.
Measure 2.1.2 Number of children engaged with intensive family support services
What does the data say?
In 2024–25, there were 2,401 Aboriginal children engaged with intensive family support services. This is the highest number since 2007-08. Aboriginal children represent 27.8 per cent of all children in Victoria engaging with intensive family support services.
Does the data show improvement or decline?
In 2024-25, there were 359 more Aboriginal children engaged with intensive family support services than in 2023-24. There were 1,805 more Aboriginal children engaged than in 2015-16.
This improvement is due to increased investment in intensive family support services over the last 10 years, meaning that more families are able to access the support they need.
How does this compare with non-Aboriginal results?
In 2024–25, 6,233 non-Aboriginal children engaged with intensive family support services. This is a decrease of 132 since 2021-22. In comparison, since 2021-22 the number of Aboriginal families receiving a service has increased by 425 families.
2.2 Increase Aboriginal care, guardianship and management of Aboriginal children and young people in care
Measure 2.2.1 Number and proportion of Aboriginal children and young people in care placed with i) relatives/kin and ii) other Aboriginal carers
What does the data say?
In 2024–25, 2,524 Aboriginal children were placed with relatives/kin or other Aboriginal carers. Of those, 40.7 per cent were placed with Aboriginal relatives/kin and 40.2 per cent were placed with non-Aboriginal relatives/kin. This means that most Aboriginal children in care were placed with relatives/kin.
Does the data show improvement or decline?
There were 42 more Aboriginal children placed with Aboriginal relatives/kin in 2024-25 than in 2023–24. In the same period, 107 more children were placed with non-Aboriginal relatives/kin and 10 more were placed with an Aboriginal carer. The proportion of children placed with Aboriginal relatives/kin reduced in the same period. There were 1.1 percentage point fewer children placed with Aboriginal relatives and kin and 1.2 percentage point more children placed with non-Aboriginal relatives/kin. One fewer child was placed with a non-Aboriginal carer, and 18 more children were placed with residential care or a family group home.
Since 2015–16 where an Aboriginal child is placed in the care system has changed. Since 2015-16 less children, as a percentage, have been placed with Aboriginal relative/kin. Other Aboriginal carer, Other Non–Aboriginal carer with the largest change being 10.4 percentage point less children were placed with other non-Aboriginal carers. At the same time more Aboriginal children, as a percentage, are being placed with non–Aboriginal relative/kin, and residential care or family group homes with non–Aboriginal relative/kin increasing 12.4 percentage points. As these percentages are a calculation using the total number of Aboriginal children in care, we can interpret that over the decade Aboriginal children have been diverted from other non–Aboriginal carers to non–Aboriginal relatives/kin.
While being placed with non-Aboriginal relatives/kin is preferable to being placed in residential care, the long-term lack of growth for children being placed with Aboriginal relatives/kin means that this measure is worsening.
Measure 2.2.2 Number and proportion of Aboriginal children and young people in care with a cultural plan
What does the data say?
In 2024–25, 1,268 Aboriginal children in care had a cultural plan. This represents 65 per cent of all Aboriginal children in care in Victoria.
Does the data show improvement or decline?
There were 131 fewer Aboriginal children in care with a cultural plan in 2024-25 than in 2023-24. This is a drop of 9.4 percentage points in the proportion of all Aboriginal children in care.
Over the long term, 586 more Aboriginal children in care had a cultural plan in 2024-25 than in 2015-16. This is an increase of 85.9 percentage points in the proportion of all Aboriginal children in care. This means that over the long term, this measure is improving.
In the short term, the decline in the number of children with a cultural plan can be attributed to changes DFFH has implemented to record cultural plan compliance. DFFH is working with ACCOs to improve timeliness and accuracy of cultural plan recording through cultural planning revision in 2026.
Measure 2.2.3 Number and proportion of Aboriginal children and young people in care on contractable orders managed by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs)
What does the data say?
In 2024–25, 599 Aboriginal children were on a contractable order managed by an ACCO. A contractable order means that the child is being case managed by the ACCO for their time in care. This represents 36 per cent of all Aboriginal children in care who were on a contractable order managed by an ACCO.
This measure refers to Aboriginal children on Children’s Court protection orders where DFFH has contracted case management to an ACCO. This data excludes Aboriginal children on Children’s Court protection orders where the Secretary, DFFH, has delegated functions and powers to an ACCO through Section 18 of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic) (known as the Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care Program), reflected in Measure 2.2.4.
Does the data show improvement or decline?
There were 173 fewer Aboriginal children on a contractable order managed by an ACCO in 2024-25 than in 2023–24. This is a 7 percentage point decline in the proportion of all Aboriginal children in care on a contractable order managed by an ACCO.
In the long term, there were 466 more Aboriginal children on a contractable order managed by an ACCO in 2024-25 than in 2015-16. This is a 27.3 percentage point increase in the proportion of all Aboriginal children in care. The short-term decrease in contractable orders managed by an ACCO means results for this measure are worsening (noting increases in Measure 2.2.4, where ACCOs are increasingly accepting Aboriginal children and young people under Section 18).
Measure 2.2.4 Number and proportion of Aboriginal children and young people on protection orders under the direct authority of an ACCO (Section 18)
What the data say?
In 2024–25, 499 Aboriginal children on protection orders were under the direct authority of an ACCO. This represents 14.9 per cent of all Aboriginal children on a protection order in Victoria.
Section 18 of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2025 (Vic) enables the Secretary, DFFH, to delegate certain legal functions and powers to the Principal Officer of an approved ACCO. The Principal Officer must be an Aboriginal person.
This measure refers to Aboriginal children on Children’s Court protection orders where Section 18 has been applied.
Does the data show improvement or decline?
Since 2023–24, the number of Aboriginal children on protection orders under authority of an ACCO rose by 191. In 2024-25, Aboriginal children on protection orders were as likely to be under the authority of an ACCO than ever before. The long-term increase in Aboriginal children and young people on protection orders under the direct authority of an ACCO means that this measure is improving.
Njerna Gap Gap Dyirr Program (To Hear Families)
SDRF enabler 1: Prioritise culture
SDRF enabler 2: Address racism and promote cultural safety
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative led a two-year review which identified opportunities to achieve stronger outcomes by engaging families prior to statutory child protection involvement. This led to an initiative to reposition the Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making (AFLDM) program from post substantiation to an early intervention and prevention strategy.
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative also developed the Njerna Gap Gap Dyirr Program (Njerna), a culturally grounded, family-led program to proactively support families at an earlier point with the explicit aim of providing proactive supports and in-turn diverting families away from the statutory system.
In 2024, there were 122 meetings facilitated by Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative relating to AFLDMs and Njerna. There were 55 were Njerna meetings (to hear families) and 67 were AFLDM meetings. All 55 Njerna meetings were internal or self-referred community members.
Results have included:
- Providing culturally safe family led intervention
- Strengthening family and community connections
- Reducing escalations to a statutory child protection investigation/intervention
- Improved safety, stability and wellbeing for Aboriginal children
- Building trust and collaboration in community
- Embedding self-determination principles
Community Protecting Boorais (CPB)
SDRF enabler 3: Address trauma and support healing
Keira*, an Aboriginal woman, was removed from her parents as a child and has had her first two children removed from her who are currently in kinship placements. Pregnant with her third child, an unborn report was made to child protection. Keira feared her baby would be removed by child protection. Concerns related to Keira’s substance use, homelessness, and significant family violence. At the time, Keira resided in a refuge and had no contact with her older children.
The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) used a Big Aunty Energy approach to have tough conversations and walked alongside Keira to help her change her life and address protective concerns. VACCA’s CPB team sought an Interim Accommodation Order (IAO) for Keira, with a condition that her father reside in the home as a safe person.
Ultimately, once satisfied that protective concerns were addressed, CPB went back to court and sought an amendment to the IAO, removing the condition that her father reside at the property as Keira was managing motherhood with their baby very well.
Keira and her baby continue to thrive. Keira’s care team at VACCA found her permanent housing, where she now resides. CPB plans to go back to court and step out as CPB are satisfied that with the supports in place, the statutory involvement is no longer required. Nugel (Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care) continue to work closely with Keira’s other children and have changed their case plans to a long-term goal of family reunification. The baby remained with Keira on the court order whilst VACCA provided intensive support to her through Big Aunty Energy.
Keira held a lot of fear about her baby being removed, based on her previous involvement with government child protection. The referral to Aboriginal-led Case Conferencing (ALCC) gave Keira the opportunity to engage through a fresh set of eyes, without the judgement of her past. CPB and ALCC used Big Aunty Energy to have tough conversations about what needed to change in Keira’s life.
VACCA’s approach to working with children and families undoubtedly changed Keira’s trajectory and is working to break the cycle of trauma resulting from involvement in the child protection system.
*A pseudonym has been used.
2.3 Increase family reunification for Aboriginal children and young people in care
Measure 2.3.1 Number of children and young people reunified with parent(s) within 12 months of admission to care as a proportion of all Aboriginal children and young people admitted into care
What does the data say?
In 2024–25, 579 Aboriginal children in care were reunified with their parents within 12 months of admission to care. This represents 65 per cent of all Aboriginal children admitted to care in that period.
Does the data show improvement or decline?
Since 2023–24, the number of Aboriginal children reunited with their parents within 12 months rose by 86, from 493 children. This also means that the proportion of children reunified increased from 57 per cent in 2023–24 to 65 per cent in 2024–25. The proportion of reunifications for Aboriginal children is the highest since 2015-16. This is an improvement of results.
How does this compare with non-Aboriginal results?
In 2024–25, 2,480 non-Aboriginal children in care were reunified with their parents within 12 months of admission to care. This represents 60.8 per cent of all non-Aboriginal children admitted to care in that period.
Aboriginal children are more likely to be reunified with their parents within 12 months of admission to care than their non-Aboriginal peers.
Measure 2.3.2 Number of Aboriginal children and young people who exit care and do not return to care within 12 months as a proportion of all Aboriginal children and young people who exit care
What does the data say?
In 2024–25, 801 Aboriginal children exited care. Of those, 643 did not return within 12 months. This represents 80.3 per cent of all Aboriginal children who exited care in that period.
Does the data show improvement or decline?
In the short term, the proportion of Aboriginal children who did not return to care within 12 months has dropped, from 83.1 per cent in 2023-24. Since 2015–16, the proportion of Aboriginal children who did not return to care within 12 months has increased, up from 72.1 per cent. This represents an improvement of results over the long term.
How does this compare with non-Aboriginal results?
In 2024–25, 2,428 non-Aboriginal children exited care, of which 2,144 did not return within 12 months. This represents 88.3 per cent of all non-Aboriginal children who exited care.
Aboriginal children are more likely to return to care within 12 months than their non-Aboriginal peers.
Goal 2 – Victorian Government Investment and Action
The key Aboriginal Governance Forums for realising outcomes in this Domain are the Aboriginal Children’s Forum, Aboriginal Strategic Governance Forum, Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum, Victorian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Forum, and Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework Implementation Working Group.
Children, youth and family
Wungurilwil Gapgapduir: Aboriginal Children and Families Agreement (Wungurilwil Gapgapduir)
Wungurilwil Gapgapduir and its associated four-year Strategic Action Plans continue to drive critical and necessary work in partnership with the Aboriginal Children’s Forum to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children and families.
Collaborative work to deliver progress through Wungurilwil Gapgapduir has resulted in a number of achievements in 2025, including:
- Continued roll-out of the Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care Program, which saw a 74 per cent increase in Aboriginal children authorised to an ACCO over 12 months (June 2024-June 2025).
- Early, positive outcomes through the roll-out of Community Protecting Boorais, including that ACCOs are slowing the entry into out of home care and where Children’s Court applications are required, they are resolved sooner and appear to be less adversarial, with an increased likelihood of court outcomes being reached by agreement.
- Development of the Integrated Model of Care with Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative to pilot in 2026, which aims to strengthen local, holistic approaches to delivering four key child protection programs (Aboriginal Child Specialist Advice and Support Service, AFLDM, Aboriginal Kinship Finding Service and Cultural Planning).
Strengthening Aboriginal leadership, decision-making and oversight through the Aboriginal Children’s Forum
Since 2015, the Aboriginal Children’s Forum (ACF) has brought together representatives from Victorian ACCOs, CSOs and government to work in partnership to implement and monitor Wungurilwil Gapgapduir.
Over 2025, the ACF met three times – with the focus, approach and strategic direction for each forum guided by the ACCO Caucus and the ACF Co-Chairs: VACCA and the Victorian Aboriginal Children and Young People’s Alliance.
This included:
- ACF 31 in March 2025 hosted by VACCA on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country to discuss transitioning resources and children to ACCOs in a way that empowers local ACCO-decision making
- ACF 32 in July 2025 hosted by Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative on Gunaikurnai Country to consider critical enablers across workforce, infrastructure and research to support sustainable ACCO service delivery
- ACF 33 in October 2025, hosted by DFFH on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country to strengthen cross-portfolio work with Department of Education (DE) and Department of Health (DH) to improve earlier intervention and prevention.
The October 2025 ACF meeting was a milestone event that brought together the three Secretaries from DFFH, DE and DH and the Minister for Children to support greater collaboration with ACCOs to improve the health, wellbeing and education outcomes for their communities.
Delivering more Aboriginal-led Family Services Initiatives
Despite increased investment, demand for Aboriginal Family Services including intensive case management programs for those at risk of child protection involvement is higher than capacity.
Through the continued roll-out of 2023/24 State Budget investment of $49.7 million over 4 years, work has continued to design and deliver Aboriginal-led models of family services. This includes through the delivery of Koori Supported Playgroups statewide and for services aimed at diverting Aboriginal children and families from statutory services by 2026-27.
Aboriginal-led early intervention is critical to reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal babies in, or at risk of engagement with, statutory child protection. This work has included growth of VACCA’s Pre-birth Response model to provide a culturally safe, integrated pathway for expectant Aboriginal families, aiming to prevent removals and strengthen family outcomes.
This model comprises two key components:
- the referral of unborn reports to the Aboriginal-led Case Conferencing program for culturally safe support, and
- Intensive case management though the Bringing Up Aboriginal Babies at Home program for expectant mothers at risk of child protection involvement.
This work has supported promising early outcomes for Aboriginal children and families.
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