Children on a child protection order
Source: Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs.
What is being counted
- Data is as at the reference date.
- Counts the number of children subject to a child protection order as at the reference date.
- Age group: Based on the age of the child as at the reference date.
- Non-Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander: Includes non-Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and children whose Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status is unknown or not stated.
- Guardianship/Custody to a relative or other person: Includes children subject to a permanent care order.
Definition notes
- Child protection order: A child protection order is an order made by the Childrens Court under the Child Protection Act 1999, when a child is assessed to be in need of protection. There are different types of child protection orders, depending on a child and family's situation, including directive orders, supervision orders, custody orders and guardianship orders.
- Long-term - Guardianship to a relative or other suitable person: An order made under the Child Protection Act 1999 that grants long-term guardianship of the child to a suitable family member (other than a parent of the child), another suitable person nominated by the chief executive until the child’s 18th birthday.
- Long-term - Guardianship to the chief executive: An order made under the Child Protection Act 1999 that grants long-term guardianship of the child to the chief executive until the child’s 18th birthday.
- Long-term - Permanent care order: A long term child protection order where a permanent guardian is legally appointed to a child. Only the office of the Director Child Protection Litigation (DCPL) can apply to revoke or vary a Permanent Care Order. Once a Permanent Care Order is made, the department has no further involvement with the child subject to the order unless the guardian or the child request a review of the case plan, or a complaint is made.
- Short-term - Chief executive to supervise matters: A child protection order that requires the chief executive to supervise the child's protection in relation to the matters stated in the order. The order is made for a period up to 1 year.
- Short-term - Directing a parent's actions/contact: An order made under the Child Protection Act 1999 directing a parent, to do or refrain from doing something directly related to the child's protection or not to have contact (direct or indirect) with the child, or to only have contact when a stated person or a person of a stated category is present. The order is made for a period up to 1 year.
- Short-term - Guardianship: An order made under the Child Protection Act 1999 granting guardianship rights and responsibilities to the chief executive in relation to the child (for a period of up to two years), including matters associated with the child's daily care.
- Short-term Custody: An order made under the Child Protection Act 1999 granting custody rights and responsibilities to a kinship carer or to the chief executive (for a period of up to two years). Guardianship rights and responsibilities in relation to the child remain with the child's parents for the duration of the custody order.