24 November 2025 – Australian children and young people are increasingly concerned about their futures, with a landmark new report revealing troubling trends of rising developmental delays and escalating mental health distress.
The inaugural State of Australia’s Children Report offers the most comprehensive snapshot to date of the nation’s children, including teens reporting declining life satisfaction as they get older, and being burdened by fears for their financial future and housing.
Less than a third of teens said they feel very excited and hopeful about the next five years.
The report – developed by UNICEF Australia in partnership with the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) and supported by Minderoo Foundation – is the first of its kind, tracking children’s wellbeing across multiple datasets and time points. It shows that not all Australian families have access to the supports they need to give children a good start and help them reach their potential through the teen years.
The State of Australia’s Children Report lays bare the situation confronting our youngest citizens, with only 53 per cent of kids arriving at school developmentally on track across all five domains measured by the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). That figure drops sharply to just 34 per cent for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
This marks the highest level of developmental vulnerability recorded since the AEDC began in 2009.
Future-related anxieties are most acute among Australia’s 16- and 17-year-olds, with nearly half (49 per cent) identifying financial security and housing as the greatest concerns facing their generation. Alarmingly, these concerns are not limited to older teens, with 43 per cent of people aged 12 to 17 sharing the same fears.
The report also reveals a clear decline in life satisfaction as children age, with 16 to 17-year-olds reporting lower wellbeing compared to their 12- to 13-year-old peers.
The wellbeing of the nation’s children is at a critical with children in the most at-risk groups falling further behind.
UNICEF Australia’s Chief Advocate for Children, Nicole Breeze, said, “This report highlights some deeply concerning trends affecting the wellbeing of Australian children – from the early years right through adolescence. It’s a clear call to action. In a country like ours, with the resources, expertise and systems we have, Australia should be the best place in the world for children to grow up.
“The data shows rising mental health concerns among young people, and the fact that suicide remains the leading cause of death for young Australians is a stark reminder of what’s at stake. We need stronger, more coordinated investment in prevention and early intervention so we can shift the trajectory and ensure every child has the chance to thrive,” Ms Breeze said.
In a series of creative, age-appropriate workshops, children as young as three shared what wellbeing means to them – through drawing, storytelling, and model-making. Their voices, captured in direct quotes throughout the report, highlight a desire for a healthy planet, safe homes, support, and peace.
A separate Minderoo Foundation report recently found that failing to identify health and development issues in young Australians had surged almost 50 per cent to $22.3 billion annually.
Nicola Forrest AO said a lack of investment in the early years was fuelling the problems experienced by Australians later in life. “The science is unequivocal: the first five years shape a lifetime. These years are a fleeting window, yet too many children start school without the foundations they need,” Ms Forrest said.
Late intervention refers to the spending on statutory, acute, and essential services and benefits provided when children or young people are in crisis or facing serious issues. These services – largely funded by government – are not only expensive but often represent missed opportunities to change life trajectories through earlier, more effective support.
“Developmental vulnerability is rising, and only half of our children arrive at school ready to learn,” Ms Forrest said. “These outcomes are not sudden; they are the cumulative effect of missed opportunities in the early years, and they echo into adolescence and young adulthood where we see growing mental health concerns, disengagement from education and community and housing insecurity.
“With only half of children on track developmentally, and serious gaps in access and quality, we must act now and turn good intentions into lasting change.
“Let’s establish a National Early Years Commission, build smarter budgets that prioritise early intervention, and launch a Children’s Data Framework that holds every level of government accountable. Our kids can’t wait – and neither should we.”
Drawing on over 100 data sets and input from more than 2,000 children nationwide, the Report offers a powerful snapshot of the challenges impacting young Australians. Among 12–17 year-olds, 39 per cent identified mental health as their second biggest concern after housing and financial stress, followed by digital change and online safety (32 per cent).
ARACY CEO Prue Warrilow said, “This report brings together, for the first time in one place, how children and young people are faring across every part of life that matters – being loved and safe, having material basics, being healthy, learning, participating, and having a positive sense of identity and culture.
“The Nest -Australia’s first evidence-based framework for the wellbeing of children and young people – is a gift for policymakers and the wider community because it centres what children need to thrive. But the picture is still incomplete. We need comprehensive linked data, across geographies and by age, so no child is invisible when decisions are made,” she said.
Some of the other key takeaways included:
About UNICEF
UNICEF operates in more than 190 countries in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children. UNICEF Australia works with local partners to raise children’s voices, defend their rights, and help them reach their potential at all stages of life, here and in neighbouring countries. We rely entirely on voluntary donations to provide lifesaving support; improve maternal and child health, education, and nutrition; and to respond to global emergencies.
For more information about UNICEF Australia and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org.au
Follow UNICEF Australia on Facebook, X and Instagram
About Minderoo Foundation
Minderoo Foundation is an Australian philanthropy, founded by Dr Andrew Forrest AO and Nicola Forrest AO in 2001, working to forge a fair future. Minderoo defines a fair future as one where every person has the opportunity to thrive in a healthy environment now and for generations to come. Minderoo Foundation has three core focus areas: uplifting communities, supporting gender equality, and safeguarding natural ecosystems. Alongside these focus areas, Minderoo responds to existential threats and urgent challenges in an agile and targeted way through a series of impact missions. Minderoo Foundation backs bold people and innovative ideas driving change across policy, science, advocacy, and grassroots action to tackle complex, long-standing challenges. Minderoo’s work is grounded in evidence and driven by strong partnerships. By standing alongside those already making an impact, Minderoo is ensuring solutions go further to deliver lasting change.
To learn more about Minderoo Foundation’s work visit minderoo.org
About ARACY
ARACY – champions the wellbeing of all Australian children and young people. Together, we drive systemic change, collaborate with communities, and amplify young voices to create a healthier future. Our work focuses on prevention, early intervention, and equity. Our purpose is for every child and young person to thrive. ARACY and our initiatives including The Nest are focused on holistic wellbeing, including health. We aim for sustainable system changes to prevent diseases and promote early intervention. Our commitment to the complete wellbeing of children and young people drives us to seek meaningful and continual systems improvements.
Learn more at www.aracy.org.au
For more information, please contact:
Belinda Skridlova, UNICEF Australia, +61 402 012 531, bskridlova@unicef.org.au
Alex Massey, Minderoo Foundation, +61 455 351 848, amassey@minderoo.org
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With six connected areas, The Nest ensures young Australians have everything they need for the best start in life, helping them reach their highest potential.
Using The Nest, has helped ARACY to be at the forefront of disease prevention and the promotion of holistic health for young Australians.
Here you’ll see some examples of how The Nest has been used in organisations outside of ARACY across Australia.
