Protecting Children is Everyone’s Business: National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009–2020 — Third Action Plan 2015–2018

Aim of publication

The Council of Australian Governments endorsed the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009–2020 (the National Framework) on 30 April 2009. The National Framework is being implemented through a series of three-year action plans.

The Third Action Plan was developed through close collaboration between the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, and the non-government sector, through the Coalition of Organisations Committed to the Safety and Wellbeing of Australia’s Children. This approach reflects the National Framework’s key message that ‘protecting children is everyone’s business’.

Who is it for?

Under the National Framework, protecting children is everyone’s business.  The Third Action Plan is for Commonwealth, state and territory governments, non government organisations, service providers and individuals with an interest in ensuring Australia’s children are safe and well.

A summary of the Third Action Plan has been developed for children and young people.

What does it cover?

The Third Action Plan has a strong focus on prevention and early intervention, and aims to strengthen the abilities of families and communities to care for their children and young people. There is also a strong commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families through the Third Action Plan, which will help reduce the likelihood of children entering the child protection system.

Three strategies form the basis of the Third Action Plan:

  1. early intervention, with a focus on the early years — particularly the first 1000 days for a child
  2. helping young people in out-of-home care to thrive in adulthood
  3. organisations responding better to children and young people to keep them safe.

There are strong links between the Third Action Plan and other activities addressing issues of concern for children and young people. The Third Action Plan is closely connected to the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the Senate Inquiries into Out-of-Home Care and Grandparents who take Primary Responsibility for Raising their Grandchildren.

Last updated: