NSW to investigate Aboriginal child care

A landmark review is set to investigate the case of every Aboriginal child who was removed from their family and placed in government care this past year.

Of the 20,000 children in care across the state, about one third are Aboriginal.

There was also a 15 per cent increase in the number of Aboriginal children entering care from 2011 to 2016 compared to a three per cent rise for non-Aboriginal children.

Family and Community Services Minister Brad Hazzard says the numbers are particularly concerning given only three per cent of the population is Indigenous.

A committee of Aboriginal community members, led by Professor Megan Davis from the University of NSW, will review the files of the 1200 Aboriginal children who went into government care this year, Mr Hazzard announced on Monday.

"We need to understand why this is occurring to address this alarming trend," he said.

The committee will look into restoration options, as well as what can be done to help reduce the number of Aboriginal children entering state care.

Prof Davis was the first Aboriginal Australian to be elected to a United Nations body in 2010.