Five non-government organisations (NGOs) that charge the state millions of dollars to care for nearly 1000 children will be excluded from the child protection system.

The State Government threw the five NGOs out of the child protection system following an audit of government contracts, which found failing rates of adoption, guardianship and restoration. Forty other NGOs will be under more intensive scrutiny.

Interviewed on a number of radio stations in NSW, Assistant General Secretary of the Public Service Association (PSA), Troy Wright, praised the Government’s “legislative reset”, saying it would improve outcomes for vulnerable children.

“Our child protection system has been more subject to bad reviews than a Bollywood musical,” he told AM station 2GB. “We’ve had the Ombudsman, the Children’s Guardian and the Audit Office all look at it and say it isn’t working.”

Last year Minister Kate Washington (pictured at the announcement with Mr Wright) said the State Government has already promised an additional 200 jobs at the Department of Communities and Justice to reduce workloads in the child protection system.

The PSA said this is a positive step, but more roles will be required to keep vulnerable children safe.