As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Australia is obligated to achieve minimum standards across justice, education, healthcare and social services.
Additionally, South Australia’s Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Act 2016 states that all government authorities must seek to give effect to the UNCRC.
Every five years, the Australian Government reports to the UNCRC Committee to explain how Australia is fulfilling its obligations in relation to child rights. In response to Australia’s fifth and sixth periodic reports, the Committee highlighted key areas of concern and made recommendations to ensure governments at both the Federal and State levels fulfil their obligations under the Convention.
In 2022, the Commissioner released the annual suite of Child Rights Progress Reports to coincide with International Human Rights Day. In these reports, the Commissioner notes the slow progress South Australia is making to meet its child rights obligations. The Commissioner also released a summary of the reports which highlighted areas with little to no evidence of progress, along with an overview of ongoing concerns.