She was director of child law at Department of Communities and Justice
Kate Washington, NSW minister for families and communities, has confirmed the permanent appointment of Rachael Ward as the children’s guardian for New South Wales as of 4 February 2026, to serve a five-year term set to expire in February 2031.
“I am honoured to be appointed as the Children’s Guardian,” Ward said in a media release from the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).
Ward has served as the state’s acting children’s guardian since March 2025. According to the DCJ, she has thus far led the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian with strength and stability.
“As the Acting Children’s Guardian, Ms Ward has demonstrated strong leadership and professionalism driven by her longstanding dedication to child safety,” Washington said in the media release.
While acting in this role, she focused on rebuilding the regulator’s capability and increasing its compliance and enforcement activities.
“I acknowledge and welcome Ms Ward’s proactive approach to compliance activities,” Washington said in the media release.
“Over the past year it has been my privilege to lead the excellent staff at the Office of the Children's Guardian and I look forward to our continued work to make NSW safer for children and young people, and people living with disability,” Ward added.
In her position within the independent statutory office, she is in charge of promoting the safety of children and young people in NSW, as well as administering the “Working with Children Check” system, the reportable conduct scheme, and the child safe scheme.
Through the Minns Labor Government’s investment in children’s safety, the state’s Office of the Children’s Guardian recently received a $5.5m funding boost over two years.
“The Minns Labor Government is investing in stronger enforcement of child safety laws, with the Office of the Children’s Guardian now more than $10 million a year better off,” Washington said in the media release.
According to information from the state government’s website, the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian comprises business units that deliver services to people across the state. Apart from Ward, the leadership team has consisted of:
The DCJ’s media release provided more information regarding Ward.
Her legal and professional experience spans more than 24 years focusing on child protection law. She has belonged to the Children’s Court Advisory Committee. She previously worked as the DCJ’s director of child law.
