Young people who are, or have been, in out-of-home care (OOHC) may be particularly vulnerable in the time after leaving care, as they adjust to independent living.

In 2022-2023, the AIHW expanded the previous linked data asset by linking to the Specialist Homelessness Services Collection (SHSC), which includes information not only on the provision of housing support, but a range of other specialist services.

This report, using the enhanced linked data asset, explores the degree to which young people who have been in care require income support and support from specialist homelessness services.

Key findings:

• OOHC study population 8 times as likely to receive both income support and SHS services from 2011-2021
• OOHC study population more likely to start receiving services from younger ages
• OOHC study population more likely to receive SHS support than the Australian population, and support is most common at age 18