Living in Australia is fundamentally different today than it was 20, 10 or even five years ago. We are a nation that has been defined by social transformation, driven in part by shifting employment conditions, diverse family structures and changes in our health and wellbeing that affect the opportunities with which we are provided and the decisions we make.

As society evolves, it is important that we have a clear understanding of our living, employment and educational opportunities, so that decision makers at the highest levels are informed and can plan effectively for the future prosperity of our nation and its people.

That is why almost 20 years ago the Australian Government partnered with the Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research to design and manage the pioneering Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. This long-running survey collects and analyses information from thousands of different families and individuals across the country to provide insights into how living in Australia has changed over time.

Today, the HILDA Survey remains the first and only study of its kind that involves telling the story of the same group of people and families over their lifetime. The ongoing cooperation of the survey participants, who represent the voices of all Australians, is vital to the study’s success and the ability to make a real and long-lasting difference.

The study stands as a guide to better inform our understanding of what’s shaping modern Australia.