About Kooyoora

Formed in 2017 in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Kooyoora is an independent, not-for-profit professional standards body specialising in child safe, trauma-informed investigations and complaint management.

We support organisations across Victoria, nationally and internationally to meet safeguarding, governance and regulatory obligations through rigorous investigative practice, cultural safety, child safe screening, trauma-informed redress, training and capacity building. Our work is underpinned by a strong human rights lens and a focus on prevention.

Responding to Community Need

Kooyoora’s work is informed by research and community data from across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. This evidence shows that many people face barriers to feeling safe when raising concerns or reporting harm, with inequitable access to support particularly affecting children, families, culturally diverse communities and people impacted by trauma, disadvantage or limited trust in institutions.

This reinforces the need for independent, culturally safe, trauma-informed and accessible safeguarding and complaint systems that operate with fairness, compassion and accountability.

These systems play a critical role in identifying and responding to patterns of harm, supporting people and communities, and strengthening safety and trust within organisations and the broader community.

Our Purpose

To ensure respectful organisational environments that are fair and free from abuse through best‑practice professional standards.

Our Vision

To build community‑wide trust in organisations to protect their people and provide safe, just and informed responses to complaints, redress, screening and training.

Our Foundational Principles

Our work is guided by clear principles that underpin ethical safeguarding and professional integrity:

Human Rights
We centre the dignity, rights, and wellbeing of children and adults in all our work.
Ethical Practice
We act independently and fairly, guided by professional integrity and accountability.
Transparency
We are open and clear in our processes, decisions, and communication.
Consistency
We apply reliable and equitable standards to build confidence, fairness, and trust.

Our Values

Accountability
We take responsibility for our actions and support organisations to do the same.
Integrity
We act honestly, impartially, and with courage, even in complex matters.
Inclusivity
We respect diversity and provide culturally safe, accessible services.
Empathy
We listen carefully and respond with compassion, recognising the impact of trauma and lived experience.

Read our article Independent Scrutiny in Safeguarding: What Best Practice Looks Like

‍Our Story

Kooyoora was established in response to a clear and growing need for independent child safe and safeguarding services. From the outset, Kooyoora was founded on the belief that organisations must be supported to protect children, young people, and adults through strong professional standards and ethical practice.

Our unwavering commitment stems from the belief that every child, young person, and adult deserves to live free from the fear of abuse and to flourish in environments of safety, dignity, and support. We recognise the long‑term impacts of harm, and the responsibility institutions hold to respond early, fairly, and with care.

Kooyoora’s story is one of dedication to safeguarding children and vulnerable individuals, and creating environments where people are supported to speak up and organisations are supported to act responsibly.

Download our Child Safety Commitment (PDF) to learn more.