Northern Territory Children's Commissioner found only one of 75 substantiated harm-in-care investigations was completed within the 42-day limit
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What happened
The Northern Territory Office of the Children's Commissioner released a report in June 2026 on harm to children in out-of-home care. It found nearly one in three children in out-of-home care in 2024-25 were the subject of at least one alleged harm notification, and that across 2023-2025 only one of 75 substantiated harm-in-care investigations was completed within the department's mandated 42-day period, with only one of ten priority investigations starting within 24 hours. It described near-universal non-compliance with the Department of Children and Families' own response timeframes. The department called any harm to children in its care unacceptable and said it is considering options for out-of-home care reform.
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