National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Act 2026

The objects of this Act are to:

promote the rights, interests, development, safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, and acknowledge and build on their strengths; and

improve development, safety and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people; and

identify systemic issues and barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people’s development, safety and wellbeing; and

support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people to assert their own rights and interests and to raise awareness of their views, needs and experiences; and

increase awareness of:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people’s rights, interests, views, needs and experiences; and

the importance of these factors in developing and delivering policies, programs and services that affect their lives; and

drive greater accountability for the impact on, and for improving the outcomes for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, of government policies, programs and services.

The objects of this Act relating to the rights, safety, development and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are to be understood through, and achieved in a manner consistent with, the culture of the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community or communities to which they belong.

This Act is intended to enable special measures to be taken for the advancement and protection of Aboriginal persons and Torres Strait Islanders, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.