The State of Australia’s Children Report

Australia has the economic, social and political conditions needed for every child to thrive — but the latest data shows not every child currently has that opportunity.

This report highlights genuine progress: early childhood education enrolment is rising, key health indicators like immunisation coverage and low birth weight rates remain strong, and the signing of the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement marks a significant step toward more equitable education.

At the same time, systemic inequalities — poverty, intergenerational trauma and racism — mean children in the most at-risk groups continue to fall behind:

• Children in out-of-home care face elevated rates of homelessness and detention
• Children with disability encounter discrimination and barriers to participation
• Children in child protection and youth justice systems continue to face systemic failures
• Developmental vulnerability and mental health concerns are rising, compounded by financial strain, online risks and climate change
• Serious child safety failures in early learning settings, made public in 2025, have exposed further weaknesses in oversight

Internationally, Australia’s performance is not keeping pace with comparable nations — UNICEF’s Report Card 19: Child Well-Being in an Unpredictable World (2025) found Australia’s available indicators sit below what would be expected given the country’s wealth.

The report calls for a coordinated, rights-based response:

• Stronger leadership and accountability across all levels of government
• Increased, sustained investment in community-led prevention and early intervention
• A national children’s data strategy, so no child’s experience is masked by national averages

With the right investment and coordination, Australia can create the conditions for every child to thrive.