The Life Chances Study followed 167 infants from two inner-Melbourne suburbs from birth until early 2024. The families in the study reflected the diversity of the two suburbs with a mix of high, middle and low-income families, private renters, public housing tenants and homeowners.

Over the years, Life Chances has provided insights into the impacts of advantage and disadvantage over four life phases:

• the early years
• the school years
• transitions from school
• work and family life.

Across 34 years of research, this study has emphasised the importance of social policy and programs to even the odds for those experiencing disadvantage. While shifts in policy have created opportunities for some, there have been increased costs and risks for others, resulting in uneven impacts for the participants in this study.

Key policy recommendations across the study have focused on addressing inequities, including by developing policies that enable:

• affordable quality early childhood education and care to provide opportunities for all children, regardless of their family circumstances
• appropriate learning opportunities for young people with low academic achievement and learning difficulties; education, training and employment services that are ‘youth friendly’ and incorporate a holistic approach to wellbeing
• inclusive workplaces to provide career opportunities for workers, regardless of their caring responsibilities
• gender equity, including addressing high effective marginal tax rates; developing new models of paid parental leave; encouraging greater take-up by men of flexible work, boost affordability and availability of childcare.