The Commission for Children and Young People (the Commission) is an independent agency, established under the Commission for Children and Young People Act 2025 (the CCYP Act).
The Commission was established by proclamation of the CCYP Act on 8 October 2026, unifying the former Office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People and the Office of the Independent Regulator within one agency.
The Commission is entering a transitional phase while aspects of its operations are determined, including the appointment of additional statutory officers established by the CCYP Act.
The Commission will be led by three Commissioners:
- The Commissioner for Children and Young People – Sonya Pringle-Jones
- The Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People – Vacant*
- The Child Advocate – Vacant*
Independent Regulator
During a transitional phase, the Independent Regulator, established under the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023 also forms part of the Commission, and will continue to undertake their functions under that Act. To learn more about the Independent Regulator, visit https://oir.tas.gov.au.
The functions of the Commission under the CCYP Act include, among other things, to:
- advocate for children and young people;
- promote and uphold the rights of children and young people;
- promote, monitor and review the safety and wellbeing of children and young people;
- review, research, investigate and influence systemic policy development on matters relating to children and young people;
- advise and make recommendations to Ministers, Government agencies and other organisations in relation to the rights and wellbeing of children and young people; and
- make recommendations to Government Ministers to improve services for children and young people and ensure Tasmania satisfies its national and international obligations with respect to children and young people.
Any person performing these and other functions under the CCYP Act must ensure that:
- the wellbeing and best interests of children and young people are the paramount consideration;
- the views of children and young people on matters that affect them are taken into account, and their contributions to the community recognised, respected and valued;
- the interests and needs of children and young people who are disadvantaged or vulnerable are given special consideration;
- children and young people’s right to be protected from harm and exploitation is respected, together with their right to live in a caring and nurturing environment;
- the significant role of parents, families, caregivers and communities in safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children and young people is recognised and supported; and
relevant provisions in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are taken into account.
While the Commission is an independent agency, some background processes and services are provided under a Service Level Agreement by the Department of Justice (DoJ). During this transitional period, the DoJ is also facilitating the appointment of remaining statutory officers under the CCYP Act. To learn more about the DoJ’s work in establishing the Commission, visit https://www.justice.tas.gov.au/about-us/projects-and-initiatives/commission-for-children-and-young-people-project.