Each state in Australia has different legislation corresponding to the protection of children which make it difficult to pinpoint specific policies that apply to the entire country. However, there are some policy responses and legislation that the Australian Government that have been adapted to all states and territories.
“National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020”
- This framework represents an unprecedented level of collaboration between Australian state and territory governments and non-governmental organisation to protect children, placing children’s interests firmly at the centre of everything that they do
- It is a long term approach to help protect all Australian Children from many issues, most importantly child abuse
Mandatory Reporting
- The legal requirement to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect is known as mandatory reporting
- All states and territories have now adopted amendments to their Children Protection Acts or Children and Young Persons Act, which require that if child abuse is suspected, then reporting this must be done
Education at various levels
- The National Child Protection Clearinghouse at the Australian Institute of Family Studies is an information, advisory and research unit that focuses on the prevention of child abuse
- This has seen a more community based drive towards the development of policies which protect children, and is reflected in the Queensland Commission for Children and Young People.