The Queensland Family and Child Commission plays a vital role in improving outcomes for children and families across Queensland. Every report, review and piece of advice we provide contributes to creating safer, more supportive systems for young Queenslanders and their families.
In 2025, the Commission celebrated 10 years of operation. This milestone marked a decade of building influence, strengthening oversight, and shaping policy through evidence, lived experience, and collaboration. Our work has directly informed major reforms, including post-detention supports, dual-care models in residential care, foster care pilots, home visiting programs, re-engagement schools, and transparency around young people in watch houses.
A significant milestone was the establishment of the Office of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner (OATSICC), responding to longstanding calls for a dedicated, independent and empowered commissioner, aligning with national and state commitments under Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children and the Closing the Gap agreement.
OATSICC brings a unique value proposition: a distinct voice grounded in lived experience, cultural knowledge and systems insight. Acting as a bridge between civil society and government, between children and decisionmakers, its strength lies in always beginning and ending with those most affected by policy and service decisions: children and young people themselves.
The year also marked a transformative moment for the Commission. With the passage of the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (CSO Act), our mandate has expanded significantly. We are now responsible for overseeing the implementation of Child Safe Standards and a Reportable Conduct Scheme across Queensland. This has been matched by major investment—our annual budget has nearly doubled to $23 million, and our Commission has grown from 50 to 80 staff, with further recruitment underway.
We launched a $3 million Child Safeguarding Grants Program and began procurement of a $3 million case management system to enhance our response to child harm and abuse. This expansion reflects a deep commitment to reform and leadership in child safeguarding. The Commission is evolving from an oversight body into a community focused driver of systemic change, ensuring that organisations across the state uphold the highest standards of child safety.