MAKE A COMPLAINT
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MAKE A COMPLAINT

Info for Adults

Our Core Business

Complaints

Deal with and manage enquiries and complaints about services provided to vulnerable children

Monitoring

Monitor and recommend continuous improvements to the conditions children are living in whilst in detention or other places where children live involuntarily

Listen

Talk to children to hear about the issues affecting them, and hear their ideas about solutions

Investigations

Monitor and promote continuous improvement in the development and implementation of legislative reforms, policies and services to support vulnerable children’s safety and wellbeing.

Promote youth voices

Promote the inclusions of children’s voices in decisions affecting them

Community awareness

Raise community awareness of children’s rights interests and wellbeing of vulnerable children

Core Functions

The position of Northern Territory Children's Commissioner is established by the Children's Commissioner Act 2013 (the Act).

Under the Act, the Commissioner has responsibility for six core functions:

Dealing with complaints about services provided

Dealing with complaints about services provided to vulnerable children and monitoring service providers’ response to any reports by the Commissioner.

The Commissioner also has an ‘own initiative’ investigative capacity.

Undertaking inquiries related to care and protection

Undertaking inquiries related to the care and protection of vulnerable children.

Monitoring implementation of government deciisions

Monitoring the implementation of any government decisions arising from an inquiry conducted by the Commissioner or any other inquiry relating to the care and protection of vulnerable children.

Monitoring responses of territory families

Monitoring the response of Territory Families to allegations of the abuse of children while they are in out-of-home care.

Promoting an understanding and informed public discussion

Promoting an understanding of and informed public discussion about the rights, interests and wellbeing of vulnerable children.

Monitoring the administration of the CAPA

Monitoring the administration of the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 (CAPCA) insofar as it relates to vulnerable children. This monitoring is outlined in the OCC annual reports which can be found here. The Commissioner must review the Care and Protection of Children Act at least once every three years.

Shahleena Musk

Role of the children's commissioner

The Commissioner is also called upon to respond from a Northern Territory perspective to a range of national policy issues, either independently or in collaboration with the Children’s Commissioners and Guardians from other Australian jurisdictions.

The Commissioner publishes an annual report each year to outline the work of the OCC and what children across the Territory have told the OCC about their lives.

Principal Legislation

  • Children's Commissioner Act
  • Care and Protection of Children Act
  • Youth Justice Act
OCC NT - Protecting the best interests of Territory Children!
Child Abuse/Child Protection Help Line
1800 700 250
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© 2025 Northern Territory Government
Thinking
Helplines

If you are in danger, call the Emergency number: 000

Information and mental health support:

  • Headspace headspace.org.au/eheadspace
  • Kids Helpline, 1800 55 1800, kidshelpline.com.au
Child Abuse/Child Protection Help Line
1800 259 256
  • Copyright, disclaimer and privacy
  • Freedom of information
  • Interpreter services
  • Accessibility
  • Site map
© 2025 Northern Territory Government