Indigenous Child Placement Principle Statement

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP) has been nationally agreed by all jurisdictions. It affirms the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities by ensuring culture, family, community and Country are central to child protection decision making. These ATSICPP objectives are entirely consistent with child safety.

The ATSICPP has been embedded in child protection legislation, policy, and practice of all Australian states and territories, and is supported by the Commonwealth, noting that child protection matters are within state and territory responsibilities.

A majority of the states and territories and the Commonwealth maintain their continued commitment to the ATSICPP and recognise and abide by its critical objective to promote the best interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, through recognition of the imperative of their continued connection to family, community and culture.

Jurisdictions note the introduction of the Care and Protection of Children Legislation Amendment (Every Child Matters) Bill 2026 (NT) and the uniform view of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group (Aboriginal Leadership Group) members that the Bill represents a diminution of the ATSCIPP that will be detrimental to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in that jurisdiction.

A majority of the states and territories and the Commonwealth express concern that the NT's Bill has been progressed against the strong recommendation of Aboriginal stakeholders, as a regrettable divergence from the Safe and Supported Partnership Agreement made by all Australian governments and the Aboriginal Leadership Group to implement the ATSICPP to the standard of active efforts.

These jurisdictions unequivocally affirm that the ATSICPP, and its requirement for connection to community and culture, is supportive of, rather than at odds with, the safety, welfare and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people.