Overview

• The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that in 2023/24, 13,300 Australians aged 12–17 sought specialist homelessness services without a parent or guardian.
• Of those who were homeless at intake, 77% were still homeless when support ended, highlighting poor exit outcomes for children.
• The cohort skews young and female, with 2,443 aged 12–14, 63% female, and 6% presenting as a group of children.
• AIHW analysis also identified more than 500 deaths among young people who had contact with specialist services over the past decade.
• Peak bodies and youth agencies call for a national action plan, dedicated age‑appropriate housing and intensive supports, arguing teens cannot compete with adults for scarce homes; the recent $460m boost to food relief and financial wellbeing grants is seen as insufficient for creating youth housing.