T
•
•
• When you are worried a relative’s children may get removed because the Department is involved with their family. You may be able to apply for Parenting Orders that the children live with you, so the Department knows they are safe.
In the Australian Capital Territory, the Department is known as Child and Youth Protection Services, or CYPS. You may have heard it called other names like Community Services or Child Protection.
The law that covers child protection cases is the Children and Young People Act 2008 (ACT).
Child protection cases are dealt with by the Childrens Court.
In New South Wales, the Department is known as Family and Community Services, or FaCS. You may have heard it called other names like DoCS or Community Services.
The law that covers child protection cases is the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW).
Child protection cases are dealt with by the NSW Children’s Court.
In the Northern Territory, the Department is known as Territory Families. You may have heard it called other names like Child Protection, Welfare or FaCS.
The law that covers child protection cases is the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 (NT).
Child protection cases are dealt with by the NT Local Court (Family Matters Jurisdiction).
For more information, see:
- NT Law Handbook – Child Welfare
- NT Legal Aid Commission – Child protection matters
In Queensland, the Department is known as Child Safety Services or Child Safety.
The law that covers child protection cases is the Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld).
Child protection cases are dealt with by the Qld Magistrates Court sitting as the Childrens Court.
In South Australia, the Department is known as the Department for Child Protection or Child Protection.
The law that covers child protection cases is the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 (SA).
Child protection cases are dealt with by the Youth Court of South Australia.
In Tasmania, the Department is known as the Child Safety Service or Child Protection.
The law that covers child protection cases is the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1997 (Tas).
Child protection cases are dealt with by the Magistrates Court of Tasmania sitting as the Children’s Court.
In Victoria, the Department is known as the Department of Human Services or Child Protection.
The law that covers child protection cases is the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic).
Child protection cases are dealt with by the Children’s Court of Victoria.
In Western Australia, the Department is known as the Department for Child Protection or Child Protection.
The law that covers child protection cases is the Children and Community Services Act 2004 (WA).
Child protection cases are dealt with by the Children’s Court of Western Australia.