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Our story

Making rights real for children and young people

54 reasons is proudly part of Save the Children Australia, delivering services and driving systems change across the country.

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We’re the leading voice for child rights in Australia.

Australia is a wealthy, stable and diverse nation – it should be the best place for children and young people to grow up well.  And happily, most of the 5.6 million children living in Australia today do grow up safe, healthy and happy.

But there’s always room for improvement. Across the country, children’s rights are at risk every day, in small and large ways – from a lack of access to play, to serious breaches within the youth justice system. And when children’s rights are at risk, so are their futures.

That's why we're here.

54 reasons exists to make rights real for children and young people in Australia. We deliver quality, rights-based services children and families, and we’re lifting a national conversation on child rights to change hearts, minds and systems.

Our goal

Our goal is simple: for all children and young people in Australia to have their rights met and thrive in all their diversity, creativity and curiosity. We do this in two ways:

01

Delivering services for children, young people, caregivers, families and community

We support more than 20,000 children, young people and caregivers every year through local, tailored and strengths-based services. Our programs put child rights first at every step. We listen to young people and take their ideas seriously. We support them to understand and realise their human rights in meaningful ways. And we work to address the root causes of challenges they face. Our practice is child-centred and rights-based, making sure children and young people find our services fun, engaging and empowering.

02

Working with partners to lift the conversation on child rights and change systems

We’re a visible and vocal advocate for child rights in Australia, leading the way in translating child rights into practical action and systems change. We collaborate with government and sector partners to ensure children’s voices, experiences and perspectives are heard. We invest in research to understand what change is possible, and the best ways to achieve it. And we fight for children to part of everyday conversations and policy-making that impact them.

"We’re here to work alongside children, young people and our amazing people and partners, to make sure that children’s voice are heard, taken seriously, and influence issues that matter."

— Vicki Mau, Executive Director

A new Australian chapter for Save the Children

After operating in Australia as Save the Children for 100 years, the children and young people we work with in Australia told us it was time for something new. Something accessible, relevant and playful. Something they could connect to. Something they could own.

A new direction, grounded in history

In 2022, we launched a new name for our work, and a renewed commitment to putting children and young people at the centre of everything we do.

Our name, 54 reasons, now represents our foundations, and what drives us today: the 54 articles in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. These articles were inspired by the groundbreaking work of Save the Children founder Eglantyne Jebb.

A new chapter, the same activist heart

54 reasons is a new chapter in Save the Children Australia’s local story. We carry Eglantyne’s courage and determination, bringing ideas, guts, and energy to everything we do – always inspired by the curiosity, creativity and diversity of children.

We remain proudly part of the Save the Children Australia group and global movement, drawing on the best of what works for children both internationally and at home.

Now, we’re stepping out with a new child rights practice framework and a specialised, integrated service offering. We’re committed to breaking away from the status quo, partnering with those who share our bold vision. Together, we can create conditions where all children and young people in Australia can live their best possible lives.

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Our people

We’re a team of 500+ social workers, child development specialists, family support workers, policy makers, educators, lawyers, and more. And we’re all here to make children’s rights real.

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How we work

A strong practice foundation means consistent, empowering and inclusive impact for every child and young person.

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Our strategy

Our roadmap to making positive change – especially in areas where child rights aren’t met in deep or consistent ways, and in ways others can't or won't.

Learn more

54 reasons acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land on which we work, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their lore, and to their Elders past, present and emerging.



54 reasons is a proudly inclusive organisation and an ally of the LGBTIQ+ community. We are proud to be a QIP accredited organisation.

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