Child Protection National Minimum Dataset (CP NMDS)

The Child Protection National Minimum Data Set (CP NMDS) is an annual collection of information on child protection in Australia. It contains data on children who come into contact with State and Territory departments responsible for child protection. The CP NMDS consists of the following data files: client demographics; notifications, investigations, and substantiations; care and protection orders; living arrangements, including children in funded out-of-home care; carer households; data for reporting on National Out-of-Home Care Standards measures; and safety in care. Where possible, data are also collected on sibling relationships. The CP NMDS collection was implemented in 2012–13. Prior to that a national aggregate child protection data collection was used for national child protection reporting (data for this collection began in 1990–91). Some data are still collected in aggregate format in Excel spreadsheets. The data are published annually by AIHW and are also used for the Report on Government Services.Child protection notifications, investigations, and substantiations; care and protection orders; living arrangements, including children in funded out-of-home care; carer households; national out-of-home care standards; sibling relationships; safety in care.