Tasmania launches new three-year plan to strengthen child safety across healthcare
07 Aug 2026
The Strong Systems, Safe Children: Child Safety and Wellbeing Action Plan 2026–2029 outlines practical steps to help ensure children and young people are protected, respected and involved in decisions about their care.
The new plan builds on child safeguarding work already underway across the health system and supports the Department's responsibilities under the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023 (Tasmania).
The Action Plan includes 24 actions organised into four priority areas:
- Building Safe Foundations
- Empowering Children and Families
- Skilled and Responsive Workforce
- Accountability and Learning
The Department said the plan was shaped by feedback from children, young people and health staff about what is needed to create safer healthcare environments.
It also reflects recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings, helping strengthen child safeguarding across the health system.
The Action Plan applies to everyone working for, or on behalf of, the Department of Health. It covers all children and young people who engage with health services, including unborn children, infants, children and adolescents, as well as children supported through healthcare provided to parents and families.
The Department said the plan was developed with input from health professionals and advisory groups, and it will continue working with community organisations, Aboriginal communities, families, carers and priority population groups to ensure children's voices help shape future improvements.
Tasmania launches new three-year plan to strengthen child safety across healthcare
Source: Tasmania Department of Health