Reviewing Implementation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle Northern Territory 2025

Executive Summary

Reviewing Implementation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle Northern Territory 2025 reviews the progress of the Northern Territory Government, primarily through the Department of Children and Families (DCF), towards implementing the full intent of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (the Child Placement Principle).

Recent changes in law, policy and practice are examined, with a focus on the five interrelated elements of the Child Placement Principle: Prevention, Partnership, Placement, Participation and Connection. At its heart, the Child Placement Principle is founded on the paramount importance of upholding the safety and wellbeing of the child and recognises that the unnecessary removal of a child from their home is itself a cause of harm.

In the NT, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be over-represented in out-of-home care (OOHC) at disproportionately high rates, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children 11.2 times more likely to be placed in OOHC than non-Indigenous children. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) play a critical role in delivering culturally safe and appropriate services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, yet these organisations remain significantly underfunded.

The previous NT Government committed to the Child Placement Principle by embedding it into legislation through the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 (the Act). However, the full implementation of the Child Placement Principle has not reached the level of active efforts seen elsewhere, nor are active efforts explicitly enshrined in legislation, limiting operational effectiveness. In January 2025, after a change in government, the NT Government proposed amendments to the Act which would allow for courts and the DCF to exercise greater discretion to ignore the Child Placement Principle. This raises significant concerns about the NT Government’s commitment to both the Child Placement Principle and to reducing the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in OOHC.

This review examines whether policies, funding allocations and service models effectively contribute to local and national policy reform objectives and evaluates the extent to which commitments are being translated into tangible outcomes. It also identifies barriers to implementation, particularly those raised by ACCOs and the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) in the NT. Additionally, the report analyses ongoing concerns from the community sector regarding the effectiveness of culturally responsive family support services and their impact on outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

Please note: that we have updated the way our reviews are structured. Previously, reviews were categorised by specific review periods. They are now titled by the year they are released and include all relevant developments up to that point in time. This change provides a clearer, more comprehensive snapshot of progress and updates within each release year.