Child protection systems 'failing' Indigenous children

The peak body representing Indigenous children in care says more should be reunited with family. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

Less than half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children entering out-of-home care are being placed with relatives or kin, with advocates urging more effort from governments to deal with the issue.

Almost half of these Indigenous children - 47 per cent - were placed with relatives in 2023/24, representing a slight improvement on the 45 per cent shown in Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data for 2019/20.