Celebrating Queensland’s champions for children: why the Child Protection Awards matter more than ever

Queensland’s Child Protection Awards highlight the individuals, teams and communities working every day to keep children safe, reinforcing the shared responsibility at the heart of child protection.

Queensland’s annual Child Protection Awards have become one of the state’s most important opportunities to recognise the people and programs working to keep children and young people safe, supported and able to thrive.

While Child Protection Week draws attention to the sector, the Awards extend that focus – recognising the individuals, teams, volunteers and organisations whose consistent efforts strengthen the environments where children live, learn and grow.

Across Queensland, professionals and volunteers contribute to child safety in diverse and often complex ways. Educators, social workers, health practitioners, community leaders, youth advocates, cultural advisors and carers all play a role in supporting children and families.

This work is essential, yet frequently under-recognised.

The Child Protection Awards provide a platform to elevate these contributions, showcasing the breadth of work across government, non-government organisations, schools and community groups. From frontline practice to community-led initiatives, the Awards reinforce that safeguarding children is a collective responsibility.

The Awards span multiple categories, reflecting the many ways individuals and organisations contribute to children’s safety and wellbeing.

Categories include recognition for:

• government and non-government professionals supporting safer outcomes
• volunteers contributing time and care to vulnerable children and young people
• regional programs strengthening locally led responses
• education initiatives building awareness and capability
• community initiatives fostering connection, inclusion and cultural safety
• media and communications efforts promoting protective behaviours
• youth participation initiatives amplifying children and young people’s voices

This breadth reflects a key principle: protecting children requires coordinated effort across sectors, disciplines and communities.

Award recipients will be recognised at a formal ceremony at Queensland’s Parliament House during Child Protection Week, underscoring the importance of this work at a statewide level.

For nominees, the ceremony provides an opportunity to share practice, connect with peers and highlight innovation. For the broader community, it reinforces the importance of sustained investment and collaboration in child safety.

Nominations play a critical role in recognising the people and programs making a difference. They acknowledge the professionalism, care and resilience required in child protection work, while also bringing visibility to effective and innovative approaches.

Many contributors do not seek recognition. They support children and families consistently and quietly. Nominations ensure their work is acknowledged and valued.

Queenslanders are encouraged to nominate individuals, teams or programs making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. The nomination process is accessible and designed to support broad community participation.

Nominations can be submitted online here.

Child protection is a shared responsibility. Across Queensland, individuals and organisations continue to strengthen the conditions that enable children to feel safe, connected and supported.

The Child Protection Awards recognise this collective effort, celebrating those already making a difference while encouraging continued action across the sector.

Recognising these contributions reinforces a shared commitment to ensuring every child in Queensland grows up safe, supported and able to thrive.