Young people often do not figure prominently in general policy discussions about families. 'The lack of emphasis on older offspring is partly due to contradictions in the way they are viewed and uncertainty surrounding their dependence, independence and interdependence in relation to families. At base is the question of where to draw the lines between regarding young people as members of families (and therefore directing resources to them through families) and regarding them as individuals who have access to resources in their own right'. This article reports on Australian Institute of Family Studies research undertaken for the National Youth Affairs Research Scheme on the position of young people in relation to the family. The article reviews recent trends which impinge on young people's lives, summarises the recent history of commonwealth and state government youth policies and strategies, and examines expectations about young people and their shifts to adult rights and responsibilities.