Ninety-one Queensland children known to child safety died last year

By Caleb Reed · 2026-09-26

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]

The Queensland Family and Child Commission released its annual deaths report on 26 September 2026.^[4] Total child deaths across Queensland in 2025-26 reached 452, up from 427 in 2024-25.^[2]

Of the 452 deaths, 312 resulted from natural causes and 94 from external causes including transport incidents and non-intentional injuries.^[1]

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]

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]

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]

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] Its next quarterly child death data update is due in late 2026.

Caleb Reed

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.