Families Australia today announces the appointment of Dr Lisa J. Griffiths as Chair of the Board, succeeding Deb Tsorbaris, who is stepping down to start her new role as Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner. Deb’s appointment to the Commission was announced by the Australian Government on 3 October 2025.

Families Australia CEO Jamie Crosby expressed thanks for Ms Tsorbaris’ stewardship and outstanding contribution to Families Australia’s mission, congratulating her on her new role.

“Over her four years on the Board – including three as Chair – Deb has made an extraordinary contribution to Families Australia. Her collegial and strategic approach to policy development, advocacy and sector engagement has delivered significant outcomes for families, children and young people, as well as for Families Australia’s projects and partnerships,” Ms Crosby said.

“Under her leadership, our organisation’s profile, influence and visibility as Australia’s national peak body have grown considerably. I want to sincerely thank Deb for her dedication, wisdom and unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for families, children and young people.”

Ms Tsorbaris also steps down as CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, the peak body child and family services in Tasmania and Victoria, where she has led and contributed to major reforms for children, families, carers, and the workforce that supports them over the past 12 years.

Among her many achievements are working with leaders to embed evidence across the sector, the growth of the family services platform which now includes a range of early interventions for families, leading the Centre as signatory on the historic Wungurilwil Gapgapduir Aboriginal Children and Families Agreement with the state government, advocating for universal access early years services, and ensuing all universities and TAFE support and encourage care-experienced young people to go on to higher education through the Raising Expectations program.

Mr Crosby said he was delighted to welcome Dr Lisa J. Griffiths as the new Chair of Families Australia. Dr Griffiths is the long-serving Chief Executive Officer of OzChild and founding member and Chair of the National Foster Care Sustainability Group. She served as Chair of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (VIC) for four years and spent nine years on the board and is a current board director at PeakCare (QLD) and the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (NSW).

“Lisa is a deeply respected community leader and advocate whose passion for supporting families, children and young people shines through in everything she does. I look forward to working closely with Lisa – as our Chair – as she leads the organisation into its next chapter,” he said.

Families Australia members will have the opportunity to formally farewell Deb and celebrate her contributions – as well as acknowledge Lisa’s appointment – at the Families Australia 2025 Annual General Meeting, on Thursday, 20 November 2025.

For details about the AGM, visit familiesaustralia.org.au.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamie Crosby, Chief Executive Officer, Families Australia, 0457 537 953