The number of children – including those younger than five – in state care in Queensland has risen, the Child Safety minister has revealed.
Data released by Amanda Camm showed 2819 children were in residential care as of March, up from 2258 compared with the previous year.
The number of children aged four or younger rose from 78 in 2025 to 107.
The data was released as the state published its response to an inquiry into the children in care system, with the government committing to changes but stopping short of the overhaul called for by the commissioner.
The government accepted 32 of the 52 recommendations in full, with 16 supported in principle.
The $20 million commission, with more than 1000 public submissions, was headed by Paul Anastassiou KC, who slammed the state’s child safety system in his 1400-page report, released in June.
A “measure of failure” was how he characterised the statistic of 13,500 children in state care as of March 2025.
The commission threw light on widespread reports of sexual assault in the system, which is run by non-government providers, and Anastassiou said a target strategy for girls in out-of-home care was needed desperately.
The commissioner called for complete reform, and the implementation of an oversight body to ensure the changes were made.
Against the recommendation of many First Nations stakeholders, the report also called for the removal of adoption as a last-resort policy for First Nations children.
It also called for the state to become a residential care provider.
More to come.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
From our partners
————————————————
