About Kooyoora

Formed in response to the 2017 Royal Commission into Institutional 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, through a strong human rights lens and prevention focus.

Watch the video to find out more about who we are and what we do

“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. ”

— Kooyoora Team

Responding to Community Need

Kooyoora’s work is informed by strong evidence of community need. Research and community data from across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Pacific consistently show that many people face barriers to feeling safe when raising concerns or reporting harm. Government, health, and social research highlight ongoing community risk, social vulnerability, and inequitable access to support, particularly for children, families, culturally diverse communities, and people affected by trauma, disadvantage, or limited trust in institutions.

This research supports the need for independent, culturally safe, trauma informed, and accessible safeguarding and complaint systems that operate with fairness, compassion, and accountability. These services play a critical role in responding to patterns of harm, supporting vulnerable communities, and strengthening safety and trust within institutions and the broader community.

Kooyoora was established to meet this need.

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 2017 in response to a clear and growing need for independent child safe and safeguarding services, shaped by the national reckoning following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. 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.