The NSW Government has entered into a landmark agreement with two of NSW’s leading Aboriginal peak bodies to drive long-overdue reform to the state’s child protection and foster care systems.

This historic partnership between the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), AbSec – NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation – and the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited represents a significant step toward a safer, fairer, and more culturally responsive child protection system.

At the heart of the agreement is a shared commitment to reducing the unacceptable overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care. It builds on the parties’ shared obligations under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and aligns with the Minns Labor Government’s broader vision for system reform.

The partnership will contribute to the NSW Government’s ambitious reforms to see more children living safely with their families, connected with their culture and communities, and supported to thrive.

Through this agreement, the partners commit to:

• Embedding Aboriginal voices in shaping child protection policy and decision-making
• Ensuring transparency and accountability across all aspects of the partnership
• Working together as equals to reform the system

The partnership was developed from the 2023 Aboriginal Child Safety and Wellbeing Reform Forum and progresses the nine commitments made at the forum by the Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington.

It also follows last week’s record $350 million commitment by the state government to fund Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to deliver family preservation programs over the next five years, and builds on other major reforms already underway, including:

• Ending the use of unaccredited emergency accommodation for vulnerable children
• Reducing the number of children in all types of high-cost emergency arrangements (HCEAs) by 35% since November 2023
• Standing up Waratah Care Cottages to better support children and sibling groups stuck in HCEAs
• Delivering the largest caseworker pay rise in over a decade
• Redeploying specialist caseworkers to the frontline, now supporting an additional 300 vulnerable children
• Releasing a comprehensive system review and roadmap for reform

This partnership lays the foundation for genuine, lasting change, built on trust, shared responsibility, and a unified commitment to better outcomes for Aboriginal children and families.

Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said, “This partnership is a critical step towards tackling the over-representation of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care.

“We’re not doing this alone—we’re walking alongside Aboriginal organisations, in partnership. This agreement is built on action, respect, and shared responsibility.”

“We’ve already ended the use of unaccredited emergency accommodation and committed to record investment in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations that help keep children safe. This is real reform—and it’s already underway.”

“This agreement sets the foundation for lasting change. It keeps us accountable—and it keeps Aboriginal voices at the centre of everything we do.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said, “This landmark agreement between the NSW Government and two leading Aboriginal peak organisations is a vital step in keeping Aboriginal children safe and connected to their families and culture.

“For too long, Aboriginal communities haven’t had a real say in the decisions that affect their children, and this agreement moves us further along the path to changing that.

“We’re continuing to turn our Closing the Gap commitments for shared decision making into action, by working with Aboriginal organisations to lead the way in keeping kids safe.”

Chief Executive Officer of AbSec, John Leha said, “This agreement is one big step toward the systemic and transformative reform from the Family is Culture review of 2019 that we strive to see implemented in our communities.”

“It’s also a structural change in the ways we work together. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the experts, and this partnership acknowledges our ongoing leadership in the policy design, systemic reform and advocacy.

“Such a partnership is essential if we are to succeed in our collective work to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in out-of-home care by 45% by 2031.

“The risk system we currently work under was never designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. It’s a system that has failed us. This partnership challenges that status quo.

“What partnership means in our sector has fundamentally changed. We are no longer asking for a seat at the table – we’re building the table together. That’s the kind of reform our children and young people deserve. 

“This partnership is about prevention, about justice, and about acknowledging power and agency of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in determining what’s best for our children and young people. It’s a milestone, but more importantly, it’s a mechanism for accountability. We look forward to holding each other to the commitments we’ve made here.”

CEO of the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited, Karly Warner said, “Ever since colonisation, the child protection system has disproportionately removed Aboriginal children from their families. This is an injustice that must be urgently addressed.

“The Closing the Gap agreement calls on government agencies to work in partnership and share decision-making with Aboriginal communities. That’s exactly what this agreement seeks to achieve. Working together is essential to achieving change for our kids, families and communities.

“The ALS welcomes the partnership agreement and looks forward to a future where all Aboriginal children are supported to grow up safe and healthy in their own families, communities and culture.”

Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice, Michael Tidball said, “This agreement marks a significant moment in the history of NSW child protection and reflects the commitment of all the signatories to achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal children, families, and communities.

“Working together, and placing Aboriginal voices at the centre, is fundamental to realising our vision for reform.

“I am delighted this partnership agreement has been formed. It will strengthen collaborative efforts to achieve meaningful and lasting change for people across NSW.”