Child rights in Queensland

Children’s rights help ensure every child can grow up healthy, safe, happy and connected to culture.

Children share the same human rights as adults, but they also have special rights because they often need extra support to understand and use them. Every adult, including parents, caregivers, communities, and organisations, plays a vital part in helping children claim their rights.

Children and young people have rights regardless of their age, where they are from, what they believe or how they choose to live their lives. They:

• belong to all children, no matter their age, background, beliefs, or identity
• are all connected, working together as one package
• are all equally important; no right is valued more than another
• can never taken away and belong permanently to every child.

What are child rights?

Rights are a collection of legal, social and ethical principles that we are all entitled to enjoy, solely because we are human.

Children’s rights are set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

The key things to remember is that child rights:

• belong to all children, no matter their age, background, beliefs, or identity
• are all connected, working together as one package
• are all equally important; no right is valued more than another
• can never taken away and belong permanently to every child.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) works alongside the UNCRC to support their rights, wellbeing and connection to culture and Country. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

Upholding child rights begins with a shared agreement and aspiration that all children are entitled to enjoy their rights equally and without discrimination. It also means actively working towards making this a reality for all children.

Children’s rights include:

• an identity, to be given news and information and to express themselves freely
• be protected from violence
• family support and if they can’t be looked after by their family, they have a right to be looked after by people who respect their religion, culture and language
• a full and decent life and to a standard of living that meets their physical and mental needs
• an education, rest and play.

Working with child rights

We are committed to advancing the rights of Queensland children and invite you to consider how you can, too.

We advocate for the rights of children and young people in Queensland by raising awareness, amplifying the voices and experiences of young Queenslanders, and influencing decision makers on issues that impact children and young people.

Children and young people are not passive, powerless, needing only protection and subject to adults’ interpretations of ‘what’s best’ - they also have their own stories, experiences and expertise - as well as the agency to use their voice. When we do this thoroughly and together, children can thrive.

A rights-affirming approach highlights accountability, promotes developmental flourishing for children, values meaningful participation, works towards ending oppression and discrimination and places the best interests of children and young people at the centre of legislation, policy and practice.

Everyone has a role to play in upholding the rights of a child, however governments, policy-crafters and decision-makers have a duty to take active measures that affirm, protect and promote children's rights.

Child Safe Organisations

Under the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld), businesses and organisations that provide services or spaces specifically for children are required to implement the ten Child Safe Standards. 

Standard 2 focuses on the Voice of Children and ensuring that children are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Children’s Rights Queensland

We proudly support Children’s Rights Queensland, who are dedicated to educating and raising awareness of children’s rights as outlined in the UNCRC. 

For over fifty years, they have worked alongside children, families, and communities to build understanding, embed children’s rights in practice, and amplify children’s voices through education, engagement, and innovative initiatives. Their mission is to educate communities and raise awareness of children’s rights as stated in the UNCRC through a range of initiatives.

Child rights report

Our bi-annual Child Rights Report details the state of children’s rights in Queensland. The report analyses how Queensland upholds children’s rights, and it identifies the changes needed to embed a child rights approach across government policy, legislation and systems to deliver better, more equitable outcomes for Queensland children.

First nations children’s report

The First Nations Children's Report showcases the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, who are thriving despite the challenges of structural racism and the impacts of colonialism. The report celebrates stories of strong First Nations children and young people, their families and communities in the areas of health and emotional wellbeing; safety and home environment; learning and skills and economic empowerment; and culture and connection.