Our commitment

​​​​​​​​​Our child safeguarding commitment

Child Safeguarding Framework​

The Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force (the Department) relea​sed the C​hild Safeguarding Framework (the framework) in October 2016 to outline the principles, policies and procedures for staff and contracted service providers to safeguard children who receive our services. The current version of the Child Safeguarding Framework aligns with the recommendations of the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework and the Child Protection Panel. The framework is also aligned to the ​ Child Safe Standards identified in Volume 6 of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Final Report (which have been reflected in the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations).

We all share a responsibility to protect children. The framework outlines our commitment to being a Child Safe Organisation and the steps we will take to safeguard children in departmental and ABF programs or environments from abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Child safeguarding principles

Recognising that children are naturally vulnerable, the following ten principles guide our actions and form the basis of our child safeguarding culture:

1. The Department has a zero tolerance policy toward child abuse and exploitation. The Department embeds principles of child safeguarding and wellbeing in leadership, governance and culture.
2. The Department puts appropriate care and welfare arrangements in place for minors who arrive in Australia unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
3. Policies, procedural instructions and support materials document the Department's child safeguarding and wellbeing approach.
4. The Department regularly reviews and improves the Child Safeguarding Framework and associated documents in line with best practice and the Child Safe Standards.
5. Physical and online environments in which children play and spend time are managed to minimise the opportunity for abuse.
6. The Department makes children and their families aware of mechanisms to report complaints, concerns or incidents of child abuse. Departmental business areas and contracted service providers use the triple track approach to child-related incidents.
7. The Department screens for suitable staff and contracted service providers and provides knowledge, skills and awareness of child safeguarding and wellbeing to workers through information and training.
8. The Department upholds equity and respects the diverse needs of children in policy and practice.
9. The Department makes children and families aware of their rights and works to support their sense of control and independence.
10. The views of children are taken seriously and, where there is scope to do so, they participate in decision-making processes affecting them.

As a result of the framework's implementation, children in immigration programs, including across the immigration detention network, have better consistency of services and care. Trained departmental staff and ABF officers provide support and work to place children in the safest possible environment. 

Who will use the Child Safeguarding Framework?

The framework applies to all Home Affairs staff, ABF officers and contracted service providers involved in the support, care and welfare of children and their families.

It is relevant to people whose work potentially has an impact on a child's overall wellbeing. This includes staff who do not have direct contact with children but whose work in policy, procurement, legal and human resources areas can influence how our programs and services are delivered.

The framework is designed to be applied flexibly across departmental and ABF programs and services, and to complement, and be embedded in, existing policies and procedural frameworks.​

Annual Child Safety Statement

The Commonwealth Child Safe Framework​ ​outlines requirements that all Commonwealth Departments must meet. The Annual Child Safety Statement details how the Department has met those requirements.