The establishment of the Children's Court of NSW in 1905 represented a significant development in the law relating to children. The Children's Court of NSW is one of the oldest children's courts in the world.
Over time the legislation that governs the way in which the Children's Court deals with cases has become more complex but the fundamental principles upon which the Court was established remain the same. That is, to attempt to rehabilitate young offenders and divert them from a life defined by criminal offending and involvement in the criminal justice system and to identify and determine the most suitable arrangements for children who are in need of care and protection.