The Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services was replaced by the Community Services Directorate on 1 July 2011.
The Bimberi Youth Justice Centre, Mitchell, was established in 2008 to replace the Quamby Youth Detention Centre as the ACT’s youth custodial facility. It accommodates youth aged 10 to 18 years. Bimberi is the first youth custodial facility to be designed, built and operated under human rights legislation.
Galilee Inc. was established in the suburb of Pearce in around 1987. Its services included alternative education and living skills development programs, support, advocacy and assistance for young people dealing with homelessness. Galilee Inc. administered a foster care program for children and young people up to age 18. In 2011, Galilee Inc. merged with community…
Outreach House was established in 1976 and was run by the Richmond Fellowship of the ACT Inc. It provided housing for young people aged 11 to 18 years who were unable to live at home. The program promoted educational opportunities and participation in social and recreational activities. The House closed around 2015.
Open Family Canberra was founded in 1992. It provided foster care services, including a program specifically focussed on Indigenous children. In 2002 Open Family Canberra ceased operating in the Australian Capital Territory and its programs were incorporated into Galilee Inc.
Marlow Cottage, Kaleen, was established in 1986 under the Children’s Services Act 1986 and closed around 2016. It was originally known as Kaleen Youth Shelter and was run by the Welfare Branch, and later the Housing and Community Services Bureau of the ACT Government. It was established to provide accommodation for 12- to 17-year-olds who…
The Community Services Directorate is one of ten directorates in the Australian Capital Territory Government. The Community Services Directorate was established in 2011. The Directorate’s responsibilities include youth and family support services, child and family centres and community housing services. It was previously the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services.
The Children and Young People Act 1999 (Act no. 63/1999) was said to be ‘implemented with the best interests of the child or young person as the paramount consideration for decisions made’. This Act formally recognised the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle. Sections 1 and 2 commenced on 10 of November 1999, the remainder on 10…
The Adoption Act 1993 (Act no. 20/1993) provided access to information for adopted children and birth parents which had previously been restricted. It recognised the ‘best interests’ of the child as the primary consideration in all aspects of adoption covered by the Act. The 1993 Act, Section 1, commenced on 2 April 1993, sections 3-121…
The Quamby Youth Detention Centre in Symonston opened in 1962. It was a government-run facility, housing youth on short term remand, and (in the absence of any other facility) some children unable to live at home. Most ACT children who were sent to institutions in New South Wales initially spent some time in Quamby. In…
Dec 17, 2025
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