History of Home Stretch
Home Stretch is a national, nonpartisan advocacy movement formed to challenge a long-standing policy failure: the expectation that young people in state care become independent at 18.
Since 2016, the Home Stretch movement has brought together concerned organisations and individuals that believe children and young people in out-of-home care deserve better. This passionate group of care leavers, service providers, governments, philanthropy and the public were seeking the answer to a simple question: why does the state stop being a parent so early?
When the state assumes care of a child or young person, they are stepping into the role of ‘corporate parent’. Yet, until recently, the responsibility of governments to provide care and services for these young people ended the day they turned 18. Home Stretch began as a campaign for this to be extended to age 21. But young people with a care experience face additional barries that extending care alone won’t fix.
Most young Australians continue to live with and be supported by their families well into adulthood. Home Stretch is asking all state, territory and federal governments to act as a responsible ‘corporate parent’ and offer young people in out-of-home care the same opportunities as their peers.
Let’s finish what we started and give young people leaving care the best chance for success in adulthood.
Timeline of reform wins
Since Home Stretch was launched in 2016, we have made incredible progress across the country, with all states and territories now offering young people the option of extended care to age 21. But there is still work to do to ensure young people leaving the care system receive adequate support to thrive.
2016
Home Stretch launched with a single goal: extend support from 18 to 21
2017
National coalition built; lived experience and evidence drive advocacy.
2018
Tasmania (Feb), South Australia (Jun) and Victoria (Sep) commit to extended care to 21.
2018
Western Australia begins extended care trial.
2021
Victoria fully implements universal extended care.
2022
Queensland and NSW announce extension to age 21.
2024
ACT legislates extended care to age 21.
2025
Campaign enters next phase: advocating for corporate parenting and whole-of-government reform.
2026
‘Corporate Parenting’ legislated in Victoria through the Supporting Stable and Strong Families Bill (SSSF).
Since 2016, Home Stretch has led one of the most successful child welfare reform campaigns in Australia’s history.
By centring lived experience and building a strong, evidence-based national movement, the campaign secured extended care to 21 in every Australian state and territory.
This reform has already changed the lives of thousands of young people. But our work doesn’t stop there. While extended care was a critical milestone, care leavers still face poor outcomes after support ends.
