The State of Australia's Children" : Shared by Tom McDermott

Great to see UNICEF Australia and a few other natcoms using World Children's Day as an opportunity to release their own national versions of the SOWCR.
Tom

UNICEF Australia Releases Comprehensive Report on Child Wellbeing

Publication: UNICEF Australia
Date: November 24, 2025
Article: Click here for the article

Summary:

UNICEF Australia, in partnership with the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) and supported by Minderoo Foundation, has released "The State of Australia's Children" report examining child wellbeing across the nation. While many Australian children are thriving, the report finds significant gaps, with children facing systemic disadvantage falling behind in key areas including mental health, nutrition, online safety, and disaster resilience. The report issues five recommendations including establishing an Early Intervention Investment Framework, creating a National Early Childhood Commission, and implementing a national Children's Act with cabinet-level oversight.

Quotes:

"Kids like me worry about big, big feelings that come in my head and lives around in my head... If you have a worry, you talk to your mum, and your worry gets smaller and smaller and smaller." - Participant aged 3-4 years

Five recommendations from "The State of Australia's Children" report:

Recommendation 1: Establish an Early Intervention Investment Framework, supported by a National Children's Data Strategy.

Recommendation 2: Establish a National Early Childhood Commission to ensure timely, cohesive reform.

Recommendation 3: Elevate children's voices in decision making for meaningful co-design.

Recommendation 4: Increase the number of mental health and wellbeing professionals in early childhood education and care services and schools.

Recommendation 5: Implementation of a national Children's Act, overseen by a national Ministerial Council for Children, to provide cabinet-level oversight and accountability.