This article outlines the development of policies in Australia that have the objective of providing income security to families with children. It discusses the Australian system of support for families with children and focuses on child-related income supplements and those income support payments provided to families with children. The main historical developments are described and the major factors under-pinning these changes are identified. The authors show that there are lessons, both positive and negative, to be learned from Australia's experiences with assisting families with children over the last century. The article includes a table chronologically setting out major policy developments, family and related payments, 1901-2001.