Message from the Chief Executive Officer

It is a privilege to write to you for the first time as the Chief Executive Officer of Families Australia. Thank you for the extremely warm welcome I have enjoyed.

Coming from health and community services, I know how closely family wellbeing is tied to the systems around us and how important it is that policy, services and supports respond to children, young people and their families’ real experiences.

That’s why the first wave of findings from the Parenting Research Centre’s Parenting Today Survey are so important. Drawing on responses from more than 10,000 parents and carers, it highlights both the strengths parents bring to family life and the pressures many are navigating. Learn more about the initial findings in a one-page infographic and detailed insight brief.

In July, we will see important opportunities for sector input, with the Australian Government seeking views on the next action plans for the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021–2030, the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032 and Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices. These wider consultation processes matter because research, lived experience and sector voices continue to show that children and young people are not being well served by systems that remain largely adult-centric and crisis-driven.

Through our role as convenor of the National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing, Families Australia is working closely with government and SNAICC to support a connected approach to consultation across Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021–2031 and these other national strategies. Consultation for the two Second Action Plans for Safe and Supported will commence soon.

Finally, NAIDOC Week 2026 will be held from 5-12 July. This year’s theme, 50 Years of Deadly, marks five decades of NAIDOC Week celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, cultures and leadership. I encourage everyone across our sector to get involved in this important week and reflect on how we can continue working in genuine partnership with First Nations peoples and organisations.

I look forward to connecting with many of you in the months ahead.

Suzanne Greenwood

Chief Executive Officer

Sector Snapshot

The first wave of findings from the Parenting Research Centre's Parenting Today Survey are now available

Learn more

Report: Adolescent flourishing in schools (as part of the Human Flourishing Program's Flourishing Schools Project)

Read the report

The Department of Social Services has released its approach to working with community

Learn more about the new resources

Medicare Mental Health Check In launches self-guided service

Read about the service

National menopause and perimenopause campaign educates women about symptoms, management and treatment options

Explore the website

Publications

Find more at Australian Policy Online and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Upcoming Events

5-12 July 2026

NAIDOC Week 2026

National NAIDOC Committee

In person and online

Find out how to support NAIDOC Week

15 July

Webinar - Responding to uncertainty:

A compassionate approach to practice

Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)

Online

Register now

Engagement Opportunities

Inquiries

Consultation on the introduction of Relational Contracting (draft documents)

Department of Social Services

The consultation period closes 26 July.

Get involved

Consultation on the Second Action Plan (National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032)

Department of Social Services

The consultation period closes 31 July.

Get involved

Community survey to inform the development of the Second Action Plan under the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021–2030

Attorney-General's Department

Complete the survey by 17 July

What shapes child safety in Christian churches and schools?

ACU Institute of Child Studies

Complete the survey

Fostering school attendance for students in Out-of-Home Care: Hearing from carers 

University of Tasmania

Complete the survey

Resources for Parents and Carers

Take Charge of Change: Resources for Children and Young People with Disability

Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA)

A free collection of practical, accessible resources to help children and young people with disability, parents and caregivers feel more confident during major life changes, such as starting school or moving into employment.

Access the resources

Bulk billing information kit

Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

An information kit designed to help explain the recent changes to bulk billing. It contains communication resources (including a poster, fact sheets, videos and an animated explainer) and sample social media posts.

Download the kit

Exploring caregivers’ needs while waiting for their adolescent’s mental health treatment

Flinders University

For adult parents/caregivers of a teen aged 13-17 years who are currently waiting (or have waited more than two weeks in the past three months) for their first appointment with a mental health professional or service provider.

Learn more about the study

Child mental health & wellbeing supports for migrant families

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

For parents or primary caregivers who migrated to Australia and speak a language other than English, this study aims to learn about preventive supports that help migrant families promote their children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Learn more about the study

More opportunities

Apply to a PhD scholarship at Australian Catholic University (ACU)

ACU is offering an industry-funded PhD scholarship supported by MacKillop Family Services for someone committed to making schools safer, more inclusive and more responsive. The PhD commences in 2026.

Learn more and apply

Not a member of Families Australia?

Join a national network working together to advocate for stronger policies, provide critical resources and build a supportive community for children, families and young people nationwide.

If you would like to contribute to Families In Focus, we welcome relevant research, news, events and sector opportunities.

Please send items to hello@familiesaustralia.org.au.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders past and present.