We have a vision, where every child is healthy, educated, protected, respected and involved.
Around the world, Australia is known for being one of the best places for a child to grow up, with access to quality health care, education and carefree days of playing in the great outdoors. But that’s not the case for everyone. From remote towns to city centres, the rights and wellbeing of Australia’s most vulnerable children and young people are being impacted by climate-driven disasters, mental health, unemployment, and for some, lack of access to quality education and health care.
At UNICEF Australia, we’re making a difference by putting our years of experience working for children and young people around the world into practice. Through partnerships, advocacy and ensuring the voices of young people are heard, we’re striving for a better future for Australia’s most vulnerable.
Making Australia a Better Place for Children
By 2025, UNICEF Australia wants to profoundly influence policy, attitudes and behaviour to enhance the rights of children and young people in Australia.
UNICEF Australia Domestic Impact Report 2022
UNICEF Australia's Impact Report tells the story of how our work in collaboration with many others and fuelled by the generosity of our supporters made a difference in 2022.
1 in 6
One in six Australian children are living in poverty.
1 in 7
One in seven Australian children experience mental health issues.
How we are helping children in Australia
We’re working to ensure every child and young person in need has equal access to education, health care and child protection so they can thrive into adulthood. We’re doing this by focusing on four priority areas;
Investing in the Early Years
We’re addressing disadvantage in the early years so that all children have the best start in life.
Adolescent Potential and Wellbeing
We’re empowering young people to reach their full potential through education and training, and have a say in decisions that affect their future.
Crisis and Emergencies
We provide rapid response and prioritisation of the needs of children and families in crisis.
Child Protection and Safeguarding
We ensure children are protected from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect.
The country you didn't know UNICEF worked in
18,069
children and young people directly benefited through domestic partnership programs in 2021.
5,250
In 2021, nearly 5,250 children and adults were supported with mental health, psychosocial support and wellbeing activities.
We’re ensuring children’s rights are respected
By leveraging our decades of experience around the world, we’re creating long-term, sustainable change for Australia’s children and young people. And we won’t stop until every child in need is healthy, educated and safe.
Policy & Advocacy
We advocate to all levels of Government to address inequality and strengthen policies in ways which improve systems that affect every child across Australia. We create knowledge, data and evidence about children and young people, and we use this to inform and guide national decision-making.
Child & Youth Engagement
We empower young people by elevating their voice and enabling them to become drivers of change. We facilitate participation to ensure they have a say in policies and programs that shape their lives and communities.
Partnerships for Impact
We partner with local community organisations to target inequality and accelerate impact, addressing critical gaps and needs of the most vulnerable and marginalised children across Australia.
UNICEF Australia is an advocate for Family Friendly Workplaces
We believe in flexible, gender inclusive workplace policies and practices. Learn more about our work and research into bridging the work and family divide.
Integrating Child Rights across the ASX
When it comes to safeguarding children within the business sector and understanding the ways in which it affects children’s safety, health, development and wellbeing, there is a long way to go. UNICEF Australia, together with Ethical Partners, have developed a report on integrating Child Rights across the ASX.
Disaster Talks
Australian National University Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network (ACATLGN) and UNICEF Australia are collaborating on a podcast titled Disaster Talks, about supporting and building the resilience of school communities in Australia to prepare and respond to a natural disaster. The series will share learnings, best practice and be a valuable resource for educators. It aims to shed light on the unique needs and rights of children in disasters and emergencies, before, during and after.
For all Australia's children
From remote towns to city centres, the rights and wellbeing of Australia’s most vulnerable children and young people are being impacted by poverty, mental health, homelessness, violence, climate-driven disasters, and for some, lack of access to quality education and health care.