About us
As the peak body for child and family services across Victoria and Tasmania, we strengthen and guide the sector, building resilience, collaboration and shared success.
Last updated: 19 Sep 2025
The Centre
As the leader and peak body in child and family services in Victoria and Tasmania, the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Tas/Vic (the Centre) proudly represents over 150 organisations, spanning the entire sector from early intervention to the critical provision of out-of-home care.
The Centre's Annual Report 2023-24
We are thrilled to present the Centre’s Annual Report for 2023–24, highlighting the milestones and remarkable achievements of the past year.
Our Annual Report reflects the dedication and collaborative efforts of our team, members, and the broader community in advancing the wellbeing of children, youth, and families.
Our Vision
Children, young people and families are safe, happy and connected, with access to support when they need it.
Our purpose
- Develop, influence and advocate for public policies that advance the rights and wellbeing of children, young people and families.
- Work with our sector to address the social, economic, and cultural barriers to improving the lives of children, young people and families.
- Lead and share research to support innovation and evidence-informed practice.
- Further strengthen the capacity of organisations to provide services that best suit the needs of vulnerable families and children.
Our values
Analysis and reflection
Ethical decision-making
Collaboration
Creativity
How we create impact
Recent Publications
Our team
Expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication.
Across Victoria and Tasmania, our team is made up of professionals from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique perspectives and ideas that enrich our work.
Our story
Since its inception in 1912, the Centre has played a pivotal role in shaping child welfare in Victoria, evolving from a small voluntary movement into a leading authority in the sector. Established amid a growing recognition of the inadequacies in child protection systems, the Centre’s early dedication laid the foundation for a more structured approach to addressing child and family welfare.
Our areas of expertise
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
Our vision for reconciliation is that all children, young people and families, including First Nations peoples across Victoria, are safely surrounded by family and connected to their communities, with access to culturally safe services and support when needed.
Centre CEO Deb Tsorbaris appointed Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner
03 Oct 2025
- News
Connecting Communities Regional Roundtables 2025 are coming to Ballarat, Bendigo and Gippsland
22 Sep 2025
- Events
Child Protection Week 2025: Bipartisan support for Parliamentary Friends of Foster Carers and Children in Foster Care
10 Sep 2025
- Media Releases
Centring the Child Webinar Series: Session 3
October 20 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Centring the Child: Implementing the Information Sharing Schemes Across Care Teams How do we share information effectively while maintaining trust? Join the Centre’s third Centring the Child Lunch & Learn […]
- Adolescent violence in the home
- AVITH
- Events
- MARAM
OPEN Symposium 2025 – Collaborative practice: Working in partnership with children and families
October 21 @ 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
The OPEN Symposium 2025, an initiative of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, will bring together practitioners, researchers, policy makers, funders, and people with lived experience to explore […]
- Events
- OPEN: Outcomes Practice and Evidence Network
- The OPEN Symposium
Early Years Participation Network: October Meeting
October 21 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
The Early Years Participation Network (the Network) is a statewide, multidisciplinary group committed to improving children’s access to and participation in early years services and supports through the development of […]
- Early Start, Bright Future
- Events