This Insights paper features a summary of Australian research, analysis and updates released in December 2025 about child and family wellbeing.
Topics in this paper include new research on Aboriginal children’s participation in out-of-home care in NSW and Victoria, links between childhood sexual abuse victimisation and adolescent offending, and a proposed national safety and quality framework for youth justice. It also summarises the 2024–25 Annual Reports from the Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board and PeakCare, investigative findings from the Queensland Ombudsman, and new national data releases from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on homelessness and safety in care. Further highlights include major reports from UNICEF Australia and SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children on child wellbeing and over-representation in child protection systems.