Overview

The early years of a child’s life provide the foundation for future heath, development and wellbeing. The transitions from childhood to adolescence to independent adulthood are also crucial periods for establishing positive health and social behaviours.

More reports and statistics on children & youth can be found under Adoption, Child protection, Mothers & babies and Youth justice. 

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Latest findings

Severe psychological distress among 18–24 year olds increased from 14% in February 2017 to 22% in April 2020

In 2019, police-recorded sexual assault was 9 times as high for females as males aged 15–24

Between 2001 and 2019, rates of 14-24 year olds who drank at risky levels, smoked daily, or used drugs illicitly fell

In 2017–18, 4.4% children aged 5–14 ate enough vegetables, only a slight increase from 2014–15 (2.9%)

In 2018, most Year 5 students achieved at or above the national minimum standard for reading (95%) and numeracy (96%)

Between 2011 and 2017, the proportion of mothers smoking during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy fell from 13% to 9.5%

Highlights