National data
A Queensland comparison to the Australian national average
The information presented indicates how Queensland compares to the Australian national average for key measures reported in national publications.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
Child protection services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
The over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continues to be a challenge in child protection systems across all Australian jurisdictions. However, when compared to other Australian jurisdictions, Queensland has one of the lowest rates of over-representation. Latest data shows that:
- 21.9 per 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Queensland were subject to substantiations in 2020-21, which was below the national average of 43.4.
- 56.2 per 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Queensland were subject to care and protection orders as at 30 June 2021, which was below the national average of 71.5.
- 7.9 per 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Queensland were in care as at 30 June 2021, which was below the national average of 8.2.
However, the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children admitted to care in Queensland remains above the national average.
Rate per 1,000 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children subject to substantiations, year ending 30 June
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland | 21.6 | 22.9 | 24.1 | 24.8 | 21.9 |
| Australia | 42.2 | 25.7 | 38.0 | 43.0 | 43.4 |
Rate per 1,000 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children subject to care and protection orders as at 30 June
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland | 43.0 | 44.1 | 46.8 | 51.7 | 56.2 |
| Australia | 60.1 | 62.3 | 66.1 | 69.7 | 71.5 |
Source: 2022 Report on Government Services Table 16A.1
Notes: See footnotes on 2022 Report of Government Services table 16A.1 regarding the data in this table.
Rate per 1,000 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children in care as at 30 June
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 7.5 | 7.9 |
| Australia | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 8.2 |
Notes: From 2018–19, all states and territories commenced national reporting on a revised national definition of out-of-home care. The out-of-home care data in the Child Protection Australia report have been back cast to 2016–17 with the revised national definition, whereas the RoGS only reports based on the revised national definition from 2018-19 onwards. See footnotes in 2019-20 Child Protection Australia Table A1 and 2022 Report on Government Services Table 16A.2 regarding the data in this table.
Rate per 1,000 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children admitted into care year ending 30 June
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland | 10.7 | 9.9 | 12.6 | 14.7 | n.a. |
| Australia | 12.4 | 11.6 | 13.0 | 13.8 | n.a. |
Notes: See footnotes in 2019-20 Child Protection Australia Table S5.17 regarding the data in this table. 2020-21 data is due to be published in the next 2020-21 Child Protection Australia report, which is due for release in April 2021.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Queensland's results in national publications can differ to results publicly reported by the department on other sections of this website. This is because measures reported in national publications follow national counting rules, while measures reported in other sections of this website use counting rules that align with Queensland legislation, policy and practice.