Australian Institute of Family Studies

We are the Australian Government's key research body and advisor in the area of family wellbeing. We have been producing high-quality, independent research about Australian families for nearly 40 years.

We create and communicate knowledge to bring about positive outcomes for families and communities. We conduct research and communicate evidence about ‘what works for families’ and what doesn’t. We evaluate policies and programs, and we provide advice to inform the design and implementation of policy and services. Our work aims to increase understanding about the factors helping or hindering the wellbeing of Australian families. It guides systems, policy and service development, and supports individual, family and community empowerment.

We conduct and translate research to make evidence accessible and useful for decision makers, practitioners and the general public.

Our current research activities include:

- Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children

- Ten to Men: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Men's Health

- Building a New Life In Australia

- The Australian Temperament Project

- The Australian Gambling Research Centre

- Child Family Community Australia: an information hub for evidence, resources and support for professionals working in the child, family and community welfare sector

- The National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health

- The Australian Government's Child Care Package Evaluation

We work with departments across the whole of the Australian government, and states and territories, and with researchers, policymakers, and service providers. We engage with family and community members to understand their experiences and aspirations, and what matters most to them.