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Our focus

The next phase of the Home Stretch campaign will focus on working with governments to prioritise the wellbeing of care leavers across four domains: housing, health, education and involvement with the justice system. While these domains require distinct policy solutions they are all equally important and interrelated when it comes to levelling the playing field and giving young care leavers the same opportunities as their peers.

The issue

There are approximately 45,000 children and young people in state care in Australia.

Each year, around 4,200 of these young people will exit out-of-home care. Young people leaving out-of-home care are amongst the most vulnerable in Australia. They disproportionately experience poor outcomes in areas including housing, health, education and involvement with the justice system. Within 12 months of leaving care, half of these young people will be homeless, in prison, unemployed or a new parent. These outcomes reflect a failure of systems meant to protect and prepare them for adulthood. 

The transition to adulthood is a challenging time for all young people. But while most young Australians continue to rely on family well into early adulthood, care leavers were expected to be fully independent by the age of 21 (or until very recently 18), often with no support. A history of trauma, systemic disadvantage, negative experiences within care systems, and an abrupt, unsupported transition combine to contribute to consistently poor life outcomes.

First peoples

First Peoples are over-represented in state care.

Despite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children making up only 6% of the total child population in Australia, they are 12.1 times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children. Many First People carry the impact of generational trauma stemming from policies of colonisation, assimilation, and the removal of children that separated them from Country and Culture and created the Stolen Generation. Home Stretch aspires to improve outcomes for these care leavers.

Learn about our strategy

Our impact domains

©Anna-Carlile-1864

Housing stability for every young person

Australia is in the grip of a housing crisis. Even those with stable employment and good incomes are struggling to meet the rising cost of rent or save for a house deposit. Young people with a care experience are particularly vulnerable to housing instability and homelessness. Most care leavers lack the rental history, financial means and social connections needed to secure stable accommodation, placing them at a distinct disadvantage. 

The consequences are of this are stark. A Swinburne University national study of 400 homeless young people found that 63% had recently left care. UniSA recently found that 36% of care leavers exit directly into homelessness. Without secure housing, it becomes nearly impossible for care leavers to remain in education or employment, further entrenching care leavers in a cycle of disadvantage.

©Anna-Carlile-1750

Health and wellbeing first

Being raised in state care can be a disruptive and traumatic experience. Young people often face frequent moves, changing homes, schools, and case workers. Many do not receive the care they need to overcome the significant trauma they have faced before entering care. They may also experience grief and loss from being separated from their families, culture and community. 

Because of this, young people leaving care suffer significantly poorer health outcomes than their peers. Mental health is a particular area of concern. People with a lived experience of out-of-home care are five times more likely to have a diagnosed mental health condition, be hospitalised for mental health reasons, or attempt suicide. 70 per cent presented to the emergency department for mental health, self-harm, alcohol and other drug use or injury within four years of leaving care, and 28 per cent will receive treatment of alcohol or other drug use. 

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Education without barriers

Care leavers are less likely to complete school or transition into work or further study. Children in care are less likely to meet the national minimum NAPLAN standards. Just one in four complete Year 12, and 44 per cent are not engaged in any study or training when leaving care.

These figures suggest that systemic barriers, combined with a lack of support, are preventing young people with a care experience from achieving their full potential. As a result, care leavers find it more difficult to access further education and job opportunities, which has ongoing implications for the social, economic and mental wellbeing, with 28% being long-term unemployed, compared to only 1% of their peers.

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Opening doors to employment

Access to meaningful employment is key to long term independence and stability. Young people leaving care are significantly more likely to experience unemployment or underemployment due to disrupted education, limited work experience and a lack of support networks.

Creating clear pathways into work is critical. This includes access to jobs, internships and traineeships that build skills, confidence and financial independence. Targeted employment opportunities can help break cycles of disadvantage and reduce reliance on income support.

By strengthening connections between care leavers, employers and training opportunities, we can ensure young people leaving care have the same chance as their peers to build sustainable careers and thrive in adulthood.

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