Cape York welfare reform trial

The Queensland Government has committed to implementing the Cape York welfare reforms, in partnership with the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership and the Commonwealth Government.

The reforms aim to restore social norms and local authority and change behaviours in response to chronic levels of welfare dependency, social dysfunction and economic exclusion in certain communities.

As part of the trial, the Parliament has passed the Family Responsibilities Commission Act 2008, which establishes the Family Responsibilities Commission (FRC).

Visit the Queensland Legislation website to download a copy of the Family Responsibilities Commission Act 2008.

What is the Family Responsibilities Commission (FRC)?

The Family Responsibilities Commission (FRC) began operation on 1 July 2008. It will stop operation on 1 January 2012.

The Commission will apply to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community members who have lived in the trial communities for three months. People who could be subject to Commission decisions are those who are:

• welfare recipients, and
• who live (or lived at relevant times) in trial communities.

The four triggers to bring a person before the Commission will be:

1. The person's child has three absences in a school term without reasonable excuse or a child is not enrolled in school without lawful excuse, or  
2. The person is the subject of a child safety notification or report, or 
3. A magistrates court convicts the person of an offence, or 
4. The person breaches his or her state or council owned housing tenancy agreement (illegal purpose, nuisance, condition report, malicious damage, rent arrears).

Where are the Cape York welfare reform communities?

The Commission has jurisdiction over welfare recipients who reside in one of the four Cape York welfare reform communities or 'welfare reform community areas':

• Aurukun
• Coen 
• Hope Vale, and  
• Mossman Gorge.

The Aurukun and Hope Vale areas are defined by reference to local government areas. The Coen and Mossman Gorge areas are defined by reference to the maps below.

Coen and Mossman Gorge residents can check the maps to help them work out whether the Bill might apply to them.

Coen and Mossman Gorge area maps

• Download the Coen Area map (PDF, 353 KB) (see new map)
• Download the Mossman Gorge area map (PDF, 248 KB) (see new map)

The maps are copies of Administrative Plans AP19403 and AP19404, which are lodged in the Department of Natural Resources and Water. You can also view copies of the maps at any Natural Resources and Water Service Centre.