Our Vision for the Future
We have a clear policy objective – to secure commitments from all state and territory governments to provide special provisions for care leavers through a corporate parenting model, then secure commitment from the Commonwealth to embed care leavers as a priority cohort across national systems. These reforms would be transformative, ensuring care leavers have the same opportunities that all Australians hope for their children.
The supports we advocate for will bring us in line with international best practice, where care leavers are prioritised in areas such as housing, health, education and employment. Together, we will ensure this window of opportunity is not lost, turning broad support into concrete action. The next focus of Home Stretch is an opportunity to achieve lasting reform that transforms opportunities for care leavers across Australia. Our vision is that young people who have experienced state care will thrive, with life outcomes comparable to those of their peers.
2026 – 2030 Roadmap
From 2026 to 2030, the Home Stretch campaign will advocate to secure transformative policy reform where governments act as responsible corporate parents beyond age 21.
Our goal is to ensure governments continue to act in the best interests of care leavers after they turn 21. We will work to secure policies and systems that provide care leavers with the same support, stability and opportunity that families provide to their own children. Our work will combine strategic campaigning, policy development, government engagement and public communications.
By building awareness, strengthening public support, and mobilising cross-sector partners, we will help governments recognise their role as corporate parents and implement whole-of-government approaches that improve outcomes for care leavers.
Corporate Parenting Model
In Australia, child protection is the responsibility of state and territory governments. Despite the success of Home Stretch in extending care to 21 in all states, care leavers continue to face barriers to their social, health and economic wellbeing, leaving them vulnerable to poor outcomes throughout life.
We are asking governments to continue to support care leavers with affirmative measures that will help them overcome disadvantages and have the best possible chance of success in adulthood.
The corporate parenting approach reframes children in care and care leavers as a shared community responsibility, promoting empathy and commitment across government and society. We are urging governments to fully accept their role as de facto or ‘corporate parents’ and work together, both across departments within state and territory governments, in collaboration with the federal government.
When governments recognise their responsibilities to care leavers and invest in policies and standards that improve outcomes for those transitioning from care, care leavers have stronger avenues to be heard and to feel seen and valued by the community.
Over time, this improves care leavers’ quality of life, including reduced intergenerational disadvantage, and governments benefit from lower long-term costs through reduced reliance on justice, health and crisis services, alongside stronger, more accountable and nationally consistent care leaver systems.
Whole of Government Reform
There are prominent international examples of whole-of-government initiatives designed to support young people with a care experience. In Scotland and England, the concept of corporate parenting places a formal responsibility on governments to prioritise the wellbeing of care leavers. Under this framework, government agencies must plan, demonstrate, and be held accountable for how they exercise their parenting responsibilities.
Home Stretch is advocating for a coordinated, cross-government approach to supporting care leavers in Australia, based on international best practice.
