Five years of insights in the Young and Wise Report to be launched by ARACY 

The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) will release The Young and Wise report later this week, the culmination of five years of consultation distilled from 117 reports and representing the voices of over 10,000 children and young people. 

Billed as “a transformative resource that puts young Australians at the heart of future decision-making,” the report will be unveiled during a free online event on 14 February, and is expected to be a document which “redefines how policymakers, community leaders, and practitioners shape decisions impacting the next generation,” with its findings reflecting the most comprehensive and authentic account of what young Australians need to thrive. 

The launch event will feature a dynamic panel discussion on the importance of embedding youth perspectives in decision-making. Speakers include: 

• Anne Hollonds, National Children’s Commissioner 

• Prue Warrilow, CEO, ARACY 

• Dr Kristy Noble, ARACY’s Lead Author of the Young and Wise Report 

• Hannah Vardy, a young Duty of Care Campaigner 

The Young and Wise report is a definitive roadmap for change. By exploring the needs of young Australians across four distinct life stages—Childhood (0-8 years), Middle Years (8-14 years), Adolescence (12-18 years), and Early Adulthood (16-25 years)— ARACY has built a resource “that is as actionable as it is inspiring.”  

All insights are anchored in The Nest, Australia’s first evidence-based wellbeing framework for children and youth which provides six interconnected dimensions essential for children and young people to thrive: being valued, loved and safe, healthy, having a positive sense of culture and identity, learning, and participating. 

The report delivers actionable recommendations on critical issues like mental health, climate resilience, education, and community safety. It calls for embedding youth voices in decision-making and prioritising interventions during pivotal life transitions, such as starting high school or entering adulthood. 

Key findings and recommendations include: 

• Give children the best start in life: Invest in creating safe, supportive, and nourishing environments for young children, eradicating poverty, and strengthening early childhood education and care. 

• Cultivate positive mental health: Foster cross-sectoral, prevention-focused approaches to mental health by addressing its key determinants across the life course. 

• Prioritise the environment: Address climate change and protect the environment in all policies and practices, ensuring access to age-appropriate media on climate action. 

• Enhance wellbeing literacy: Empower children and young people with skills to manage their mental and physical health, build healthy relationships, and cope with stress. 

• Foster belonging and connectedness: Recognise belonging and loneliness as key determinants of wellbeing and address stigma to strengthen social connections. 

• Embed children’s voices: Create a culture of child and youth participation by linking funding and performance to genuine co-designed partnerships. 

National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds congratulated ARACY and everyone involved in the Young and Wise report – especially the children and young people who shared their insights. 

“They’ve told us what they need to thrive—and it’s up to us to act,” she said. 

“The rights and wellbeing of Australia’s children are the responsibility of all Australian governments. Currently, they are not listening, and children in the most vulnerable circumstances are being left further behind.” 

 “We know what to do. We need child wellbeing to be made a priority for the National Cabinet and we must work together across the federation on systems reform. And increasingly it’s obvious that we need a Cabinet Minister for Children to ensure leadership and accountability for action based on evidence and human rights.” 

The online launch starts on 14th February at 1pm AEDT. Register via this link.