Tragic Rise of Unseen Child Homelessness

The shocking reality of unaccompanied child homelessness in Australia has been described as a “line in the sand” moment by Associate Professor Catherine Robinson of the University of Tasmania. In an interview with Tasmanian Times, Robinson stated that a national action plan is urgently needed to address this hidden crisis, which is distinct from the broader conversation about adult homelessness and housing affordability.

“Fundamentally, the drivers of unaccompanied child homelessness are different to those of adults,” Robinson explained.

“Unless we have national leadership setting out what a strategic approach should look like, and have states and territories sign up to deliver a dedicated response, then they’ll just get lost in that bigger conversation.”

Robinson noted that children under 16 are particularly vulnerable as they are often too young to access the services and supports available to older youth and adults.

“When you’re talking about children who can’t get Medicare, can’t find a lease… they stay homeless,” she said.

The interview highlighted the tragic outcomes of these systemic failures, revealing that 77% of unaccompanied children remain homeless after receiving support.

According to Robinson, this is due to a lack of long-term care options, forcing children to “cycle through services, just waiting to age into other options.”

This vulnerability, she warns, makes them susceptible to exploitation and abuse.

“You can hear I’m quietly raging,” she said, expressing frustration at the years-long effort to bring this issue to national attention.

While Tasmania has shown some progress by developing dedicated policies for under-16s, Robinson stressed that more needs to be done. She emphasised the need for a Child and Youth Homelessness Action Plan as part of the state’s housing strategy to ensure a coordinated response. This plan should include investment in prevention and early intervention to break the cycle of homelessness.

“Why keep children homeless who then age into adult homelessness?” she questioned.

“The cost, the human cost, is enormous. The society cost is enormous.”

Robinson also drew attention to the alarming mental health crisis among these children. “Access to complex mental health care is outrageously difficult,” she said, noting that suicide is the leading cause of death for homeless youth.

The high proportion of female children among the unaccompanied homeless population is also a major concern, as they are especially vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse, often leading to co-dependent relationships as a means of survival.

Robinson’s call to action is clear – this issue needs a champion at the highest levels of government to create a strategic, cross-agency response that prioritises the care, safety, and well-being of these children.

Tasmanian Times contacted Associate Professor Catherine Robinson after viewing the following media release.

Media release – Homelessness Australia, HomeTime, 4 September 2025

Hundreds of children seek homelessness support without a parent or guardian in Tasmania

Federal crossbenchers have joined the call for safe housing and support for children trapped in homelessness.

A group of Federal Parliamentarians has called on the Albanese Government to act urgently on national data showing that children and young people experiencing homelessness are becoming trapped in homelessness and are at significantly increased risk of suicide and death.

New Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data shows that in 2023–24, 4,462 children who presented for help needed medium term housing, but 2,863 did not receive it.

Over the same period, 4,435 children needed long term housing, but 3,551 or 80.7 missed out.

Of the 13,300 children who sought help from a specialist homelessness service without a parent or guardian across the country in 2023-24, 480 were in Tasmania.

Across Tasmania, 1,296 children received support from homelessness services in 2023-24.

This is up on figures in 2022-23 when 1,270 children received support.

“Most children who are homeless without a parent or guardian are fleeing homes where they have experienced violence, abandonment or neglect. They go from danger of one kind into danger of another, “ Homelessness Australia CEO Kate Colvin said.

The Home Time campaign, which is an alliance of housing and homelessness organisations, is calling for national action so children and young people can escape homelessness. The plan includes 15,000 dedicated tenancies with support for young people, removal of the youth housing penalty from the social services system, and prioritisation of 16 to 24 year olds in the Housing Australia Future Fund.

“The reality is that there are very few dedicated homes with age-appropriate support for adolescent children and young people. The data reveals the magnitude and urgency of a problem that our current system cannot adequately address. If nothing changes, we will see more children and young people harmed, and dying, as a result,” Colvin said.