This report details findings from the Parenting Today survey, designed to provide a comprehensive national picture of parenting, wellbeing and support needs across Australia. It describes the prevalence and correlates of parent psychological distress. The report argues support for parent mental health must be considered a core component of prevention and early intervention efforts.

Policy frameworks underpinning family-based interventions often assume a father deficit model, one that sees fathers as ineffective or neglectful in the area of child health and development. Our survey presents a more positive picture of fathering.

The early years are a critical time for children’s development. Parents’ engagement in their children’s early development and learning has an impact on children’s later educational and life experiences and parents differ in their levels of engagement.

Parental disadvantage, for example lower household income and lower education level, can affect child wellbeing and development. It has been linked to poorer child physical, emotional and cognitive development.

This Research Brief derives from the 2016 Parenting Today in Victoria Study conducted and analysed by the Parenting Research Centre, and funded by the Victorian Department of Education and Training.