The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics Survey (the HILDA Survey) aims to yield insights into the dynamics of family relationships, parenting, housing arrangements, income, workforce involvement, and the health, wellbeing and attitudes of young people and adults in Australia. This article examines the potential for the survey to contribute to research on families in Australia. It summarises the case for another survey; provides brief descriptions of the survey design and sample selection; outlines issues covered by the survey; and describes data collection procedures, the first wave response rates and characteristics of the sample. The second part of the paper discusses the sorts of family issues that could be explored with these data.