How Australia can invest in children and return more
The first major national study into the cost of providing late intervention services to children and young people has called for smarter and wiser expenditure to ensure children receive vital support services at a much earlier stage.
The report ‘How Australia can invest in children and return more’ found hospitalisations for mental health, youth unemployment, obesity and out-of-home care had skyrocketed in the past decade. The report found these late intervention services were costing Australian taxpayers $15.2 billion every year.
The detailed report card calls for a more targeted evidence-based approach to early intervention. This would mean effective support services are provided earlier to children and families, before problems begin or are magnified to crisis point.
The ground-breaking research sheds light on the economic cost of not stepping in early to provide support to Australia’s children and youth.