> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bushletter.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Ninety-one Queensland children known to child safety died last year
- URL: https://www.bushletter.com/queensland-child-safety-linked-deaths-jump-60-to-91/
- Published: 2026-09-29T22:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-01T01:30:51.000Z
- Description: Total child deaths across the state reached 452, with those in the protection system dying at more than one and a half times the average Queensland mortality rate.
- Author: Editor
- Tags: News, Australia

![Caleb Reed](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262572/bushletter/authors/caleb-reed.png)

By **Caleb Reed** · 2026-09-26

TLDR

Ninety-one Queensland children known to the child protection system died in 2025-26, a 60 per cent rise from 57 the previous year and the highest figure in five years. Total child deaths across the state reached 452, with children in the system dying at more than 1.5 times the state average mortality rate.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

01Ninety-one children known to child safety died in 2025-26, the highest count in five years.

02Total Queensland child deaths rose from 427 in 2024-25 to 452 in 2025-26.

03Children in the protection system die at 59.1 per 100,000, versus 35.1 for all Queensland children.

04Ninety-four of the 452 deaths resulted from external causes including transport incidents and non-intentional injuries.

05Minister Amanda Camm committed to considering every commission recommendation alongside the In Plain Sight report.

Ninety-one Queensland children known to the child protection system died in 2025-26, a 59.6 per cent rise from 57 deaths the previous year and the highest count in five years.[\[1\]](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-26/qld-family-and-child-commission-annual-report-increase-in-deaths/107198072?ref=bushletter.com)

The Queensland Family and Child Commission released its annual deaths report on 26 September 2026.[\[4\]](https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/news/deaths-children-and-young-people-queensland-annual-report-released?ref=bushletter.com) Total child deaths across Queensland in 2025-26 reached 452, up from 427 in 2024-25.[\[2\]](https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/report-quarterly-child-death-data-update-2025-26-q4.pdf?ref=bushletter.com)

Of the 452 deaths, 312 resulted from natural causes and 94 from external causes including transport incidents and non-intentional injuries.[\[1\]](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-26/qld-family-and-child-commission-annual-report-increase-in-deaths/107198072?ref=bushletter.com)

Children known to the child protection system die at a rate of 59.1 per 100,000, more than one and a half times the Queensland child mortality rate of 35.1 per 100,000.[\[3\]](https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/fact-sheet-child-death-report-summary-child-protection-system-child-deaths-2024-25.pdf?ref=bushletter.com)

Principal Commissioner Luke Twyford said the commission would press on with reform efforts. "Every child deserves the chance to grow up safely, and through our research, reporting, and advocacy, we will continue to learn from loss, strengthen prevention, and strive for safer futures for Queensland's children," he said.[\[4\]](https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/news/deaths-children-and-young-people-queensland-annual-report-released?ref=bushletter.com)

Minister for Child Safety Amanda Camm said the government would examine each finding. "We will carefully consider every recommendation alongside the Child Death Review Board's In Plain Sight report, as we work to rebuild a child safety system focused on protection, accountability and better outcomes for children and young people," she said.[\[5\]](https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/105216?ref=bushletter.com)

The Queensland Family and Child Commission is an independent statutory body under the Family and Child Commission Act 2014, responsible for registering and reviewing child deaths and issuing evidence-based recommendations.[\[4\]](https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/news/deaths-children-and-young-people-queensland-annual-report-released?ref=bushletter.com) Its next quarterly child death data update is due in late 2026.

SOURCES & CITATIONS

1. [Queensland Family and Child Commission annual report coverage, 26 September 2026](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-26/qld-family-and-child-commission-annual-report-increase-in-deaths/107198072?ref=bushletter.com)
2. [QFCC Quarterly Child Death Data Update 2025-26 Q4](https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/report-quarterly-child-death-data-update-2025-26-q4.pdf?ref=bushletter.com)
3. [QFCC Fact Sheet: Child Protection System Child Deaths 2024-25](https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/fact-sheet-child-death-report-summary-child-protection-system-child-deaths-2024-25.pdf?ref=bushletter.com)
4. [QFCC: Deaths of children and young people in Queensland annual report released](https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/news/deaths-children-and-young-people-queensland-annual-report-released?ref=bushletter.com)
5. [Queensland Government ministerial statement: Minister Amanda Camm](https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/105216?ref=bushletter.com)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Queensland children known to child safety died in 2025-26?

Ninety-one children who had contact with the child protection system in the 12 months before their death died in 2025-26, up from 57 in 2024-25.

How does the mortality rate for children in the child protection system compare with the state average?

Children known to the child protection system die at 59.1 per 100,000, more than one and a half times the Queensland child mortality rate of 35.1 per 100,000.

What was the total number of child deaths in Queensland in 2025-26?

The Queensland Family and Child Commission recorded 452 child deaths in 2025-26, up from 427 the previous year.

![Caleb Reed](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262572/bushletter/authors/caleb-reed.png)

[Caleb Reed](https://bushletter.com/author/caleb-reed/?ref=bushletter.com)

Caleb Reed covers breaking news and sport. He works to the rhythm of a story as it unfolds, and he is happiest when the facts arrive faster than anyone can spin them.