End Child Poverty

29/04/2026

Today, Hugh de Kretser, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission delivered Australia's first Human Rights Assessment. It helps Australians to see where we are doing well, where we need to improve and where action is needed. It helps governments and civil society to identify risks, set priorities and respond more effectively. It promotes transparency and accountability. We need to do the same with child poverty.
It's great to see this quote from Hugh today -
"But too many people live in poverty in Australia and safety net payments for those out of work remain far too low.
We need a national plan to eradicate poverty, with robust measurement and clear targets."
Last week the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee advised the Federal Government that 1 million children live in poverty in Australia.
We are calling for a child-centred measure and targets to reduce that number because every child has a right to live free from poverty.
Australian Human Rights Commission
https://lnkd.in/gpdUzQsx

24/04/2026

‼️ BREAKING: Child Poverty is not rare in Australia. Almost one in two children will experience income poverty at some point during childhood.
The 2026 Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee report to Government released today has confirmed what families and communities already know: *Child poverty remains one of Australia’s most serious economic challenges*.

📈 One million children being left behind in Australia should shock us all.
In a wealthy country like Australia, no child should be growing up without enough food, safe housing or basic essentials.
🟠 Child poverty causes long‑term harm to health, learning and wellbeing—but it is not inevitable.
🟡 Child poverty is the result of policy choices—and it can be fixed with better choices.
📣 The evidence is clear. The solutions are known.
🧾 We are calling for legislation to measure and report on child poverty in Australia. Its working around the world – it can work here too!
What’s missing is the political will to put children first.
Read the full report https://www.dss.gov.au/committees-and-panels/resource/economic-inclusion-advisory-committee-2026-report

16/02/2026

🌟 New research reiterates: When young people have a safe place to live, they can learn, grow and build their futures.
We’re excited to share new findings from Social Ventures Australia, commissioned by Melbourne City Mission, that highlight something very important:
When young people have safe housing and caring support around them, their lives change in powerful ways—and our whole community benefits.
🏠 Why youth housing matters
Homelessness makes it incredibly hard for young people to stay in school, get a job, or imagine a hopeful future. Many are carrying the weight of trauma, family violence, or experiences in out‑of‑home care. Just like adults, some young people need a little support, some need a lot, and some need long-term stability.
This is why youth housing isn’t “one size fits all.”
It’s a whole system that gives each young person the right kind of help at the right time.
✨ What the research found is truly encouraging:
For young people who moved into youth housing with proper supports:
Housing stability jumped from 27% → more than 70%
Engagement in education rose from 28% → up to 77%
Employment participation increased from 26% → up to 70%
These aren’t just numbers.
They represent young people finally having the chance to feel safe, learn new skills, and take steps toward independence.
🌱 Youth housing helps young people build brighter futures—and strengthens our society.
The research shows that when we invest in youth housing, we’re not only supporting young people in crisis; we’re supporting the future workforce, future families, and future communities.
📘 There’s still more to learn.
To keep improving outcomes, we need ongoing investment and long-term evaluation so governments and services can continue understanding what works best.

LINK to report:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64d1f4764eb5b6346503f2d6/t/6992793dfe2acf44474915cc/1771206973731/SVA_Consulting_Youth-Housing-in-Australia_30012026.pdf

03/02/2026

We are proud to share that all Commissioners for Children and Young People across Australia are supporters of the End Child Poverty campaign.

This collective leadership recognises a simple truth:
No child should experience poverty in a country with the resources to prevent it.

At the Valuing Children Initiative, we work to change societal attitudes so that children and young people are valued and their needs are the first priority. Ending child poverty is fundamental to ensuring children are safe, heard, and able to thrive.

We thank the Commissioners for standing with children and young people and for championing their rights at every level.

Together, we can build an Australia where every child is valued.

Caption for image: (far left) Deb Tsorbaris, National Children's Commissioner, Shona Reid, Guardian for Children and Young People South Australia, Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, Commissioner for Children and Young People, Jodie Griffiths-Cook, Children and Young People Commissioner ACT Human Rights Commission, Natalie Lewis, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Commissioner, Isabelle Crompton , Interim Commissioner for Children and Young People Tasmania stands with VCI Development Executive Sarah Quinton. They are holding the End Child Poverty teddy bear, which symbolises the opportunities and comfort around 1million Australian children have to leave behind everytime they are forced to move - due to poverty.
The photo was taken at the Child Rights Symposium organised by 54 reasons in November 2025.
Photo credit: Jade Florence Photography

Go to endchildpoverty.com.au to learn more and to join us.

29/01/2026

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said protecting the rights of “children in our communities” is a responsibility the Catholic Church takes seriously.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Perth led in the development of the first safeguarding project in the world, among other initiatives.
In this article published in The Record au (online) and The Record Magazine (print), they talk about their support for our End Child Poverty campaign, and speak about some of the struggles children in Australia endure as migrants and refugees.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Perth are one of 182 campaign partners, who pledge to end child poverty in Australia.

LINK:

Archbishop Costelloe said protecting the rights of “children in our communities” is a responsibility the Catholic Church takes seriously.

28/01/2026

So amazing to look back on the engagements and conversations we have had in 2025. It definitely motivates us to keep pushing harder to reach our goals of ending child poverty in Australia. 🧸💙🧡
To learn more about what we do, and to join us, go to: endchildpoverty.com.au

13/01/2026

Why is Australia one of the few high-income countries that’s not part of the School Meals Coalition, a global alliance of national governments that aims to ensure all children get nutritious school meals by 2030?

The Conversation explains why we should consider it.

LINK:

Australia can learn from other countries to introduce a universal free school lunch program that benefits children, families, local farmers and the planet.

05/01/2026

We at the VCI want to wish our End Child Poverty patron Joshua Patrick a huge congratulations for receiving an offer from The University of Western Australia for the Assured Pathway to the Doctor of Medicine. Josh is proof that with hard work and resilience, dreams to come true!

Josh has always been a leader - He has openly shared his journey with us through our End Child Poverty campaign. He is always standing up for other children and young people, trying to change perspectives and offer solutions that will help Australia's most vulnerable.

Upon receiving his offer, this is what Josh said (taken from his LinkedIn post).

"....Growing up in regional WA, balancing ATAR studies with caring responsibilities, and navigating long periods in hospitals alongside my sister has shaped not only how I studied, but why I want to study Medicine."

"This article reflects a journey that hasn’t followed a traditional or linear path, one marked by responsibility, resilience, and learning far beyond the classroom. I’m incredibly thankful to have received an offer to study Medicine, and to everyone who supported me along the way: my family, teachers, mentors, health professionals, and the many people who believed in me when the pathway felt uncertain.

"I share this not as a celebration of achievement alone, but as a reminder that potential exists everywhere, including in young carers, regional students, and those whose education is shaped by circumstances beyond their control..."

We are so proud of him! 😁

02/01/2026

The article in our last post by Jay Hanna had captured the attention of some readers. See below for their comments on child poverty.
We believe it takes an entire community to create awareness and act on this issue.

endchildpoverty.com.au for more.

02/01/2026

This op ed by Jay Hanna shines the spotlight on how much our Australian children and young people are missing out on.
Poverty is a word that we never thought would be associated with Australia, but here we are in 2026, having reached almost 1 million
children living in poverty. We must and can do more.

LINK: