South Australia Child Protection
South Australia manages around 4,500 children in out-of-home care. The state underwent major reform following the Nyland Royal Commission.
System Outcomes — South Australia
Productivity Commission, Report on Government Services 2026
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Intensive family support expenditure | $75K | 2024-25 |
| Foster carer households | 826 | 2024 |
| Kinship care households | 1,588 | 2024 |
| Children placed with kin (%) | 2305.0% | 2025 |
| Child protection notifications | 22,262 | 2024-25 |
| Indigenous notificationsindigenous | 5,536 | 2024-25 |
| Children in OOHC (no order) | 19 | 2025 |
| Children in OOHC (on orders) | 1,766 | 2025 |
| Re-substantiation within 12 months (%) | 18.7% | 2023-24 |
| Substantiated (detailed) | 983 | 2024-25 |
| Substantiation rate (%) | 26.2% | 2024-25 |
| Substantiations | 440 | 2025 |
| Indigenous substantiationsindigenous | 81 | 2025 |
Evidence Base (ALMA)
What works in South Australia child protection
Policy Timeline
Key legislation, inquiries, and reforms
Children and Young People (Safety) Act reforms
Amendments strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle compliance.
National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
All jurisdictions commit to implementing 10 Child Safe Standards based on Royal Commission recommendations.
Safe and Supported: National Framework 2021-2031
Successor to 2009 framework. Four focus areas: prevention, First Nations, OOHC reform, information sharing. First 5-year action plan 2023-2028.
National Redress Scheme commences
Established under National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018. Counselling, direct personal response, and monetary payments up to $150,000.
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse — Final Report
Five years, 57,000+ calls, 8,000+ private sessions. 409 recommendations across institutions, redress, criminal justice, child safe standards.
Nyland Royal Commission — The Life They Deserve
Royal Commission into child protection systems in SA following death of Chloe Valentine. 260 recommendations.
National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children
First national plan — Protecting Children is Everyone's Business 2009-2020. Established six outcome areas and 12-year reform agenda.
Oversight & Accountability
Recommendations from inquiries, audits, and commissions
| Body | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
Nyland Royal Commission The Life They Deserve | NYLAND-1Create independent Guardian for Children and Young People with investigative powers | implemented |
Nyland Royal Commission The Life They Deserve | NYLAND-2Implement mandatory reporting for all adults in relation to child sexual abuse | implemented |
Royal Commission IRCS Final Report | RC-CP-1Establish National Office for Child Safety to coordinate cross-jurisdictional child safe standards | implemented |
Royal Commission IRCS Final Report | RC-CP-2All institutions working with children must implement the 10 Child Safe Standards | partially implemented |
Royal Commission IRCS Final Report | RC-CP-3Establish National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse | implemented |
Cross-System Organisations
Entities appearing across multiple policy domains
| Organisation | Domains | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Centacare Catholic Community Services | child protectionndis | $36.0M |