Australian Child and Wellbeing Project

One in ten Australian children miss school at least once a week, almost one in six have been bullied, and one in thirty – a child in almost every classroom – goes to bed or school hungry nearly every day.

That’s the disturbing reality being revealed in the final report of the Australian Child Wellbeing Project (ACWP) that surveyed more than 5,400 children across the country, the largest study of its kind in Australia.

Lead researcher, Flinders University’s Associate Professor Gerry Redmond, said the ACWP findings reveal that young Australians are suffering because of a systemic failure to meet their most basic needs, with the most disadvantaged kids reporting low scores in every aspect of wellbeing.

“The Australian Child Wellbeing Project shows that for many children in Australia today, life is pretty tough,” says Professor Redmond.

“One young person in five reported going to school or bed hungry at least sometimes, and were also more likely to miss school frequently.

“Young people who go hungry and the one-in-ten who miss school frequently were, in addition, likely to report high levels of health complaints, frequent bullying and low levels of engagement at school.”

The research revealed that young people had identified their families as their most important resource, with those who have strong support networks tending to report that they are happy, even in conditions of economic disadvantage.

Dr Dianne Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth said the ACWP findings were, “an important reminder that the best outcomes for children and youth come from holistic approaches, which address the priorities children identify themselves”.

Funded by the Australian Research Council and Commonwealth government partners, the ACWP surveyed or interviewed 5,000 children in hundreds of schools across Australia.

Compared with the early years and adolescence, the middle years (ages 8-14 years) have received relatively little attention from policymakers other than in the space of academic achievement, yet issues such as high pressure at school, hunger and missing school are of direct policy concern.

The ACWP study set out to ask young people themselves about their lives and wellbeing during this crucial period. Their answers are not only of direct relevance to young people’s wellbeing in the present, but also in terms of their long-term health and social development.

The report provides important information for policy makers, service providers, schools and researchers about child wellbeing in Australia, and information that contributes to the design of effective services for children’s wellbeing and development.

Further information: The Australian Child Wellbeing Project.