Child maltreatment poses a substantial health burden, but its impact on healthcare costs and productivity loss in Australia remains unclear. The objective of this study was to estimate the costs of health service use and productivity loss associated with child maltreatment in Australia. It finds that targeted investment in prevention strategies is urgently needed.

Few studies have examined associations between child maltreatment and criminal justice system involvement using large nationally representative samples and comprehensive measures of self‑reported maltreatment. This study analyses nationally representative data from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study.

The authors examine the associations between experiences of child maltreatment and mental disorders in the Australian population. Child maltreatment is associated with increased risk of mental disorders.

The Australian Child Maltreatment Study has shown that the majority of Australians have experienced child maltreatment, and that these experiences are associated with substantially higher rates of health risk behaviours and conditions, including substance misuse, self-harm and suicide attempts. Sexual abuse and emotional abuse present the highest risks.