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.

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.

This report was developed as part of Beyond Blue’s national mental health and wellbeing study of police and emergency services.

This is the first Australian study to quantify the risks of physical health conditions contributing to a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. The latest national report card reveals the strong links between chronic physical ill health and mental ill health.

Based on a survey conducted in the homes of over 6,300 families with children and/or adolescents, this report presents a comprehensive picture of the mental health of young Australians. It documents the prevalence and type of mental health problems, the impact of those problems on families and young people themselves and the role of health...