Australia's welfare - biennial report since 1993 Explores welfare using a life-course approach, starting at childhood and then moving through youth to working age and the later years of growing older.

What we know about Australia’s wellbeing Most Australians are able to manage their own wellbeing. Some may need to draw on additional support and services. – to help them fully participate – level of support depends on their life stage and level of disadvantage – complex interrelationships between these factors

Australia’s welfare system Complex network of services, payments and providers. Govt spend in 2012–13 estimated $136.5 billion. – 68% for cash payments for specific populations – 26% on welfare services – 6% unemployment benefits

Government cash payments Total $93.1 billion. – $40.1 billion  older people – $28.2 billion  families and children – $22.8 billion  people with disability – $7.5 billion  unemployment benefits

Australia's welfare workforce 449,000 work in paid welfare workforce. – majority are women 2.7 million informal carers. – provide support to family, friends or neighbours

The wellbeing of children (aged 0–14) Early years crucial for ongoing wellbeing. – early disadvantage can have lasting effects – 4 in 5 considered to be developmentally on track when they enter primary school – 57% of indigenous children were on track compared to 79% of non-Indigenous children – 22% assessed as vulnerable in language, cognitive skills or emotional maturity

Most children achieved national minimal standards in literacy and numeracy at school. International comparisons

Children not faring so well… About 143,000 children aged 0–17 received child protection services. – 123,121 of these children were aged 0–14 – Indigenous children were over-represented Youth justice system over-represented by Indigenous youth aged ,000 children aged 0–14 with severe or profound disability. – boys aged 5–14 almost double that of girls same age

The wellbeing of young people (aged 15–24) Pathways more varied, complex and extend over longer time. – from education to work – from parental home to independent living – delay getting married and having children – more likely to be unemployed and underemployed compared to overall working population

Young people and education Year 12 apparent retention rate has increased over the past decade.

Vulnerability of young people Majority of young people cope well moving from adolescence to young adulthood. Some are vulnerable to harm. – may face limited social, educational or economic opportunities – Indigenous youths, low socioeconomic backgrounds, poor academic performance, youths with disability, youths in child protection and youth justice systems and those experiencing homelessness Youth justice system.

Risky behaviour of young people Rates for illicit drug use fell overall for young people –Young males had higher use at 32% compared to young females at 25% –Rates among youth were around twice as high as the population aged 25 and over Decline in alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking. –rise in the proportion of young people who have never smoked, from 58% in 2001 to 77% in 2013.

What we know about the working age (aged 25–64) 53% (12 million people). Caring responsibilities for young and old. Better educated than a decade ago. – 67% have a non-school qualification (certificate, diploma or degree) – Women have been making large gains

Labour force and retirement Increased participation of women and mature-aged workers. Retirement rates have fallen.

Home ownership changes Decline in outright home ownership. Proportion who have mortgages increased. Harder to purchase home or own home outright.

Who is looking after our children? Child-care access and affordability–a significant issue. Formal childcare. –62% provided by long day care centres Informal childcare. –72% provided by grandparents Affordability and unmet child care needs.

Growing older (aged 65 and over) Average age increasing since 1970s. 15% of population in 2014  21% in – people aged over 85 projected to double by 2032, from 455,400 in 2014 to 954,600 in 2032 – consider themselves in good health and are able to live independently – enables them to contribute socially, culturally and informal care giving

Growing older issues Vast majority of older Australians living in their own homes. –lifestyle preference was most common reason for moving Around 240,000 people received formal aged care services. –180,000 were in a residential aged care services –60,000 were receiving a home care package Housing affordability can be a major concern for some people.

Opportunities and challenges of an ageing Australia Promoting healthy and active ageing. Enabling workforce participation. Developing business opportunities for growing consumer market. Building age-friendly and dementia-friendly environments.

Diversity and disadvantage in Australia Some groups face disadvantages. – Indigenous Australians – people with disability – people with mental illness – homeless population – domestic and family violence

Indigenous Australians Improved outcomes in key areas. – life expectancy – child mortality rates – Yr 12 completion rates Experience greater disadvantage than other Australians. – lower levels of education, employment and household income – higher levels of disability – poorer general heath – more likely to live in locations of greater disadvantage

What we know about disability An estimated 4.2 million Australians have a disability. Restrictions in schooling and employment. Government payments are main source of income for 43%. NDIS – reforming how services are provided.

What we know about mental illness An estimated 45% of Australians will experience a mental disorder at some time in their lives. 13% of the total burden of disease in Australia. Disproportionately represented among the unemployed and those on low incomes. Key contributing factor leading to housing instability and homelessness.

What we know about homelessness Homelessness can be caused by a life event or circumstance. – some people are more vulnerable than others Of Australia’s 105,000 homeless people in – 25% were Indigenous Australians – 25% were aged 12–24 – 17% were under 12 – 14% were aged 55 or over ‘Homelessness’ ranges from living on the streets to overcrowded conditions or ‘couch-surfing’.

What we know about domestic violence Almost 2 million Australians have experienced partner violence since the age of 15 years. Family violence-related assaults much higher in Indigenous population Leading cause of homelessness for women and children. Costs Australia $13.6 billion each year and projected to rise to $15.6 billion by The National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and Children: KPMG Report 2009.The National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and Children: KPMG Report 2009

Indicators of Australia's welfare Need for improved cross-sectoral reporting. Proposed new reporting framework and indicator set. –based in logic, but focused on ‘risk’ and system performance –Evaluating interventions that work best

Using multiple indicators to tell a story…