Every child and young person has rights - and they’re protected by law.
When you’re in care, it’s important to know that you have rights. These rights make sure you are safe, respected, and supported - and that your voice is always heard.
Across Australia, each state and territory has its own Charter of Rights, but they’re all based on a shared national plan called Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021–2031. This plan shows how governments, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, and community organisations (like CREATE!) work together to make sure children, young people, and families are supported to be safe and strong.
Here are some of the key rights that apply to all children and young people in care. You can always ask your carer, caseworker, or CREATEto help you understand them better. Check out our Resources Page for videos and other ways to learn about your rights.
You have the right to:
Feel safe, secure, and cared for - free from harm, abuse, or neglect
Have a stable home and people who look after you properly
Be supported by carers who have the right training to help you feel safe and valued
You have the right to:
Be told what’s happening in your life in ways you understand
Share your views and be listened to when decisions are made about you
Take part in meetings or plans that affect your future
Speak up about how you feel - and know that your opinions matter
You have the right to:
Keep in touch with your family and the people who matter to you (when it’s safe to do so)
Stay connected to your community, culture, and Country
Be supported in your cultural identity, especially if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander young person
You have the right to:
Go to school and get the help you need with your learning
Be healthy - physically, mentally, and emotionally - and to see doctors and counsellors when needed
Get help planning for your future, including leaving care and living independently
Join activities, sport, or community events that interest you
You have the right to:
See the information that’s kept about you and add your own story or corrections
Get clear information about your care plan and your future
Complain if something isn’t right - and get help to do that safely
Be treated with respect, dignity, and understanding at all times
Read information on the rights that apply to all children and young people in care. You can always ask your carer, caseworker, or CREATEto help you understand them better.
“Knowing your rights helps you speak up, stay safe, and feel confident about your future.”– Young Person
Your rights are there to protect you - to make sure you are safe, supported, and part of decisions about your life.
If you ever feel unsure about your rights or think they’re not being respected, you can talk to:
Your carer
Your caseworker
A CREATEteam member (call 1800 655 105)
Or someone you trust who can help you speak up
You deserve to be heard and to feel safe - always.
Your rights are yours. They belong to you - not the system, not adults, not anyone else. CREATE is here to help you understand them, use them, and make sure your voice is heard.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989): Australia agreed to this international law that protects children’s rights everywhere.
Safe and Supported (2021–2031): A national plan that brings together governments, communities, and organisations to protect children.
State and Territory Charters: Local versions that make sure your rights are followed where you live.
At CREATE, we want you to feel safe, respected, and supported whenever you’re with us. If something doesn’t feel right, or if we’ve done something that made you feel upset or unsafe, please tell us. We really want to know so we can make things better.
You have the right to:
Speak up and share feedback
Make a complaint if something’s not okay
Get help or support to make a complaint
Know what info we keep about you and how you can see it
Understand your rights and responsibilities when working with us
If you’d like more info, or want to see CREATE’sComplaints and Feedback Policy here.
