About the Growing Up in Australia study
Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) is a major longitudinal study following the development of 10,000 young people and their families.
Aims
The study aims to examine the impact of Australia’s unique social and cultural environment on children’s development from early childhood through to adolescence and adulthood.
Our findings help to develop social policy and early intervention and prevention strategies, to improve support for children and young people in the future.
Find out more about our impact.
Background
The Growing Up in Australia study began in 2004 with a representative sample of children (who are now young adults) from urban and rural areas in all states and territories in Australia. The study has now been running for more than 20 years – see our research timeline.
The study has collected information from two groups every two years. The two groups of 5,000 children each were grouped by the 'Baby', or 'B' group (aged 0 to 1 years old) and the 'Kinder', or 'K' cohort (aged 4 to 5 years old). The sample of 10,000 children was selected from the Medicare enrolment database held by the Health Insurance Commission.
Learn more about the study’s sample and methodology.
The study links to administrative databases (with participant consent) adding valuable information to supplement the data collected during fieldwork.
A comprehensive, one-off physical health and biomarker module, known as the Child Health CheckPoint, was added for the B cohort between waves 6 and 7 when they were aged 11-12 years. The study child and one of their parents participated in a comprehensive clinic appointment or shorter home visit. A second parent was also invited to provide a genetic sample.
LSAC is conducted in partnership between the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) and Roy Morgan, with advice provided by an advisory group of leading researchers.
Find out more about the governance and Scientific Advisory Group (SAC) members of the study and the research team.