Amendments have been passed to the Child Protection Act 1999 that will reinforce children’s rights; strengthen children’s voices in decisions that affect them; improve how Child Safety works with First Nations children and families; and streamline, clarify and improve the regulation of care.

The amendments come into effect on 21 May 2023. It’s important that you understand these amendments as it will change some of the way the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs works with children, young people and families.

The amendments will:

• reinforce children’s rights and strengthen their voices in decisions that affect them
• require active efforts to apply the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle when making a significant decision about an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child
• clarify the definition of ‘kin’ to reflect Aboriginal tradition or Island custom as well as cultural connections
• redefine the ‘partnership’ principle to clarify Child Safety’s commitment to working with First Nations peoples and communities
• clarify Child Safety’s existing commitment to ensure carer’s have access to support and training
• establish a framework for a carers’ register
• provide examples of information carers and licensed care services can be provided with to enable informed decision-making
• clarify how the general principles for ensuring the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children apply when making decisions
• clarify that a license may be amended to add or remove a licensed premises
• require licensees to ensure people performing risk-assessed roles for licensed care services are suitable persons.

For more information about the amendments, go to www.cyjma.qld.gov.au/cplegislationreform