Established in 2001
AboutFamilies Australia
Families Australia provides policy advice to the Federal Government and Parliament on ways to increase the wellbeing of families, especially those experiencing the greatest vulnerability and marginalisation. It does so on behalf of around 800 member organisations around Australia, all of whom work to advance family wellbeing and participation.
Families Australia takes a ‘hands-on’ approach by partnering with government, service delivery organisations and researchers to suggest, trial and deliver practical, innovative solutions to problems facing families. As well as our focus on improving child safety and wellbeing and ending family and domestic violence, we have a strong interest in policies that encourage workforce participation whilst maintaining healthy family dynamics.
Families Australia considers ‘family’ astaking a wide diversity of forms, all of whichdeserve respect and support.
The Families Australia Board
The Families Australia Board is composed of nominees from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation, Australian Community Children’s Services, the Australian Foster Care Association, the Child and Family Welfare Association of Australia, the Family Action Centre at the University of Newcastle, Grandparents Australia, the National Association to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect, the Public Health Association of Australia, Relationships Australia, the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, and UnitingCare Australia.
Key goals are to build stronger Australian families in all their diversity, end child abuse and neglect, eliminate family and domestic violence and advance the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.
A local community capacity building project that aims to address risk factors for child abuse and neglect. A key element is the annual Child Aware Approaches Conference.
Which has been run by Families Australia in May annually since 2003. Over 125,000 people around Australia participate each year.