The Starting Better Guarantee was a national goal to make Australia the best place to be a child and raise a family. It proposed an entitlement to a set of high-quality, affordable and connected services in the early years. This report shows the wins achieved and the priorities ahead to realise the Guarantee in full.

This briefing paper highlights the value of integrated Child and Family Hubs as a proven lifeline for Australian families facing complex challenges such as trauma, social isolation and housing instability. The recommendations consolidate years of research and data collection, collaboration and connection with service providers, families and communities.

The framework sets Australia’s long term plan to prevent and manage chronic illness. It guides governments, health services and communities to work together, focusing on prevention, integrated care, equity and shared risk factors. The framework moves away from treating diseases in isolation and instead focuses on related chronic conditions and shared risk factors.

Mental health and homelessness are deeply interconnected, yet temporary supported accommodation (TSA) services struggle to address this intersectionality. This paper critically analyses TSA services, exploring the question: ‘How can TSA be improved to better support individuals experiencing homelessness and mental health concerns?’ It explores how integrating psychologically informed environments within TSA could enhance their capacity.