Government Advocates

As a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Australia is committed to the idea that governments must understand the needs and rights of children and young people before they take any action that concerns them. One of the ways Australia addresses that obligation is through its network of Children’s Commissioners and Children’s Guardians.
The role of a Children’s Commissioner is to advocate for the rights of children and to ensure the best possible services for all children and young people.
The role of a Children's Guardian is specifically to improve services for children who are legally in the care of a government department, such as children in foster care.

National

ACT

The Children and Young People Commissioner
hrc.act.gov.au/childrenyoungpeople
02 6205 2222

New South Wales

Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People
https://www.acyp.nsw.gov.au/ 02 9248 0970
acyp@acyp.nsw.gov.au

NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian
kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au
02 8219 3600

Northern Territory

Office of the Children’s Commissioner Northern Territory
occ.nt.gov.au
1800 259 256

Queensland

Queensland Family & Child Commission
qfcc.qld.gov.au

The Office of the Public Guardian
publicguardian.qld.gov.au
1300 653 187

South Australia

The Commissioner for Children and Young People
ccyp.com.au
08 8226 3355

The Guardian for Children and Young People
gcyp.sa.gov.au
08 8226 8570

Tasmania

Commissioner for Children and Young People Tasmania
childcomm.tas.gov.au
03 6166 1366

Victoria

Commission for Children and Young People
ccyp.vic.gov.au
1300 78 29 78

West Australia

Commissioner for Children and Young People
ccyp.wa.gov.au
08 6213 2297

Knowledge, support and protections