The Commissioner for Children and Young People

The Commissioner for Children and Young People is Sonya Pringle-Jones

Sonya became the Commissioner for Children and Young People on 8 October 2026.

Commissioner Pringle-Jones has dedicated more than two decades to improving outcomes for Tasmanian children and young people.  

Beginning her work with young people in residential care and later serving in frontline child protection, Commissioner Pringle-Jones developed a strong understanding of the experiences of children, families and carers, and the systems designed to support them. 

Commissioner Pringle-Jones later held senior clinical and leadership roles with the Australian Childhood Foundation, helping to establish and lead trauma counselling and support services for children affected by abuse, neglect and family violence. This work focused on therapeutic care, workforce capability, program development and the practical application of evidence-based approaches to supporting children and young people. 

Commissioner Pringle-Jones served as Tasmania’s first Child Advocate for children and young people in out-of-home care, providing individual and systemic advocacy, monitoring children’s experiences and advising senior government leaders on opportunities for reform.  

Immediately before her appointment as Commissioner for Children and Young People, she served as Director of Child and Youth Empowerment with the Department for Education, Children and Young People, leading initiatives that strengthened children’s participation in decisions affecting them and advancing child-rights approaches across government. 

Commissioner Pringle-Jones brings extensive experience in children’s rights, safeguarding, advocacy, trauma-informed practice and systems reform, underpinned by a longstanding commitment to ensuring children and young people are heard, respected and included in decisions that affect their lives.