This report is the first of its kind to apply the deprivation approach to examine deprivation among young Australians using information provided by young people themselves. It builds on earlier projects that developed and applied the approach used here to adults.

The latest estimates of the costs of raising children in Australia show costs have risen substantially over the last two decades, due to changing community expectations of what children need to live a healthy life.

This project builds on previous Australian and recent international research to develop a set of budget standards for low-paid and unemployed Australians and their families.