Report tells the story of 422 child deaths in Queensland

-The Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) has released its 2023–2024 annual report featuring insights from Queensland’s Child Death Register.

-Over the period, 422 Queensland children lost their lives, with around one in six attributed to external causes, which are considered preventable.

-The report provides critical insights into the causes of child mortality and highlights key trends and prevention initiatives aimed at better safeguarding Queensland’s children.

New data released by the QFCC reveals 422 children and young people aged 0 to 17 years died in 2023–2024, a decrease from 448 in the previous year.

Of all deaths in 2023–2024, 314 were attributed to natural causes, representing the second-highest number over an eight-year period. Our analysis found this increase occurred primarily across two underlying causes of death: disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight, and other perinatal conditions.

Despite this recent increase, the data shows there has been an overall decrease in child mortality over the last two decades, down two per cent, driven largely by overall decreases in natural cause deaths.

Seventy children died from external causes, which are considered preventable causes of death, representing the lowest number in 13 years. The leading cause was transport incidents, accounting for 20 over the period, followed by 19 from other non-intentional injuries, 19 from suicide, 10 from drowning and 2 from fatal assault and neglect.

Transport-related child deaths have decreased by 3.4 per cent on average; however, higher numbers over the last three years have seen rates start to increase, representing an area of focus for road safety.

Sadly, while deaths from suicide have decreased slightly in the last three years, overall, we are seeing a slowly increasing trend, with rates increasing among girls. It continues to be the leading overall cause of death for young people in age groups of 10–14 years and 15–17 years.

Of the 19 deaths from suicide, four had a history of alleged childhood abuse and neglect and three experienced household dysfunction, highlighting the profound impact of trauma on a child.

Sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI) continue to represent a considerable proportion of infant deaths, with 27 recorded in Queensland over the period; however, this is the lowest number in five years, which is a promising trend.

Fifty-three children who died were known to the child protection system, a decrease from 70 in the previous year. The data shows that mortality rates are higher among children who are known to the child protection system, with children almost four times more likely to die of external causes in comparison to Queensland’s child population.

This data is a stark reminder that children who are at an increased risk of child maltreatment are often from families with higher levels of economic disadvantage, poor parental mental health and problematic substance misuse and social instability, all of which are risk factors for adverse childhood outcomes. 

The data captured in Queensland’s Child Death Register is made available at no cost for legitimate researchers and professionals in public education, policy development and child death prevention program design.

The Deaths of children and young people Queensland Annual Report 2023–24 is available to view at https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/sector/child-death/child-death-reports-and-data

Quotes attributed to QFCC Principal Commissioner Luke Twyford

“The death of a child is a profound loss that reverberates through families and communities—each life is a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the health and wellbeing of Queensland children and investing in meaningful and effective prevention activities.

“This year, I was concerned to see little difference in the number of child deaths from suicide—including four children who were known to Child Safety—and an increasing trend among girls.

“These suicide numbers contributed to the QFCC’s motivation to enter into a partnership with Peakcare to support a three-year research initiative with Australian Catholic University that will inform a Mental Health Strategy for Maltreatment Healing.

“This report presents more than just data and is more than an administrative tool; it is a critical resource that should drive change in the field of child death review and prevention.

“We encourage research-based organisations to meaningfully engage with this data and identify trends to inform policy improvements that to create safer homes, roads and systems of care.”

ENDS

For media information contact:

Kirstine O’Donnell | Queensland Family and Child Commission
Phone:  0404 971 164
Email:   media@qfcc.qld.gov.au