Resources

Children's Voices Report Across Australia

Children and families do best when we listen to what they have to say, and take this into consideration when making decisions that affect them.

More and more adults across Australia are understanding how important (and effective!) it is to incorporate the voices of children into their work.

While we’re not all in a position to consult widely with children, we can all play a part in elevating children and their opinions.

One of the ways we can do this is by valuing the work of Children’s Commissioners and Advocates across Australia.

A lot is already known about what children in Australia need; let’s listen deeply to what they are saying and continue to build on this

KEY REPORTS BASED ON THE VOICES OF CHILDREN

See below for a list of recent reports – by topic – from Children’s Commissioners across Australia. Note that some of the reports may include information across multiple topics but for simplicity are listed under the main topic area (or under ‘General Issues’ for broad consultations).

This resource has been created for National Child Protection Week to:

Raise awareness of the work of Australia’s Children’s Commissioners and the importance of the voices of children and young people
Ensure that important consultation reports across Australia are accessible to decision-makers and anyone whose work affects children and young people. Most of the reports are state/territory-based and – until now – have not been easily accessible in one place.
Highlight quotes from children and young people on particular topics relevant to NAPCAN’s current work.

NOTE: Many other organisations (eg Mission Australia, CREATE Foundation) also create valuable consultation reports. At this stage, this page is dedicated to the work of Children’s Commissioners; however, it is intended that other reports may be added at a later stage as resources permit.

GENERAL ISSUES

Children’s Voices webpage (including mental health, disability, youth justice, environment, drugs & alcohol, education, gender & consent, housing) – NT, 2024
The Things That Matter 3 Views of 8-12 year olds on life, school and community – SA, 2022
What can adults learn from children? – WA, 2022
Keeping kids safe and well – your voices – National Children’s Commissioner, 2021
Rights, Voices, Stories project report: Identifying what matters to children and young people involved in the Queensland child protection system – QLD, 2021
Speaking Out Survey 2021: The views of WA children and young people on their wellbeing – a summary report – WA, 2021
“Listen to us… we are the next generation” Report on the Australian and New Zealand Children’s Commissioners and Guardians ‘Tell Us What You Think’ Survey of Children and Young People – AU & NZ, 2020
“Kids have big thoughts too” Life transitions: what children say about change – ACT, 2018

CHILD AND YOUTH PARTICIPATION

Child and Youth Participation Framework – QLD, 2022

FIRST NATIONS CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

Yarning for Change: Listen to My Voice – QLD, 2022

COVID

Living through COVID: Growing Up in Queensland 2021 – QLD, 2021

DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE

Women’s Safety & Justice Taskforce – QLD, 2022
Now you have heard us, what will you do? Young people’s experiences of domestic and family violence – ACT, 2020

LIVING ENVIRONMENTS/NEIGHBOURHOODS

Safe Spaces: Growing Up in Queensland Report – QLD, 2022
My Place in WA: WA children and young people speak out about their living environment – WA, 2021

MENTAL HEALTH

‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing – National, 2022
Mental Health Select Committee – QLD, 2022

YOUTH JUSTICE

Changing the Sentence Report: Overseeing Queensland’s youth justice reforms – QLD, 2021

EDUCATION

Let us learn: Systemic inquiry into the educational experiences of children and young people living in out-of-home care – VIC, 2023

OUT-OF-HOME-CARE

‘Somebody in your corner’: The views of children, young people, carers and care providers on children and young people being stable and safe in out-of-home care – TAS, 2023

FINE PRINT

Newsletter