A new strategy to eliminate child abuse and neglect has been labelled a historic step towards closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
The federal government on Tuesday released two 10-year national action plans to protect children, created in partnership with state and territory governments.
A specific plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families was developed in consultation with First Nations communities and representative groups.
The blueprints agree to a national approach to boosting the sector's workforce and improving targeted supports for children.
There will also be more investment in First Nations communities to help with family support services and child protection.
Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney described the launch of the action plans as a historic moment to keep Australia's children safe.
"The number of First Nations children being removed from families remains out of control. It is so high and it is alarming and it must come down," she told reporters in Canberra.
"First Nations people hold the answers and need to lead the way on policies and programs that affect us."
Ms Burney said the government's planned referendum on an Indigenous voice to parliament would help solve issues such as child neglect and abuse.
"That's what a voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is all about, making sure voices in communities are heard in all areas of government," she said.
"(We will be) finally getting the best guidance on the solutions to complex and difficult issues, and we all know how complex and how difficult they are. "
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the action plans focused on priority groups experiencing disadvantage or vulnerability and who were over-represented in Australia's child protection system.
Ms Rishworth said the system would be transformed to focus on early intervention and prevent the number of children entering care in the first place.
"These action plans were born from a meticulous approach focused on engagement, empowerment and embedding the voice of children and those with lived experience," she said.
"While our goal will always be having children not need child protection interventions, we also want to ensure that when they do the solutions are child-centred and informed by their voices."
The government committed $30 million in the federal budget for five initiatives.
National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing convenor Jamie Crosby said the safety and wellbeing of Australian children should be the most compelling national priority.
"It beggars belief that the rates of children and young people in statutory care or involved in child protection systems more broadly continue to rise," he said.
"The over-representation of First Nations children and young people is heart-wrenching.
"Powerful partnerships and ongoing collaboration between all parties is fundamental to achieving real change to improve the lives and safety of children and young people."
