Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC)

Growing up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children is a unique, study of 10,000 Australian children and their families. The study is funded by Commonwealth Department of Social Services, managed by the Australian Institute of Family Studies. Biennial data collection commenced in 2004 and is ongoing, with the “children” now in young adulthood. Professor Jan Nicholson and Associate Professor Amanda Cooklin are past and current members of the Study’s Scientific Advisory Group. The Transition to Contemporary Parenthood (TCPP) team have extensive experience working with LSAC partners and collaborators, with over 50 publications using the study data. Key areas of work have included:

1. Understanding the effects of mothers' and fathers' work on their own health and wellbeing and that of their children
2. Understanding the changes to parents’ work and family care during and since the Covid-19 pandemic; and the effects that these disruptions have had on work, parenting and family relationships.
3. Investigating conflicts between parents and partners: patterns, trajectories and key family outcomes including parent and child mental health.