The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) was funded as part of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategies in the Commonwealth government budget 2000-2001. It is managed by the Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS): This paper identifies a proposed conceptual model to underpin the study and the draft research questions to be addressed in the study. Issues covered include: the process and timeline for finalising the research questions and design parameters for LSAC; stakeholders; consultation to date; workshop findings; the place of LSAC in Commonwealth government thinking; LSAC, the Stronger Families and Communities Strategies and FaCS' strategic outcomes; child and family policy interests; health; education and youth affairs; welfare reform; developmental pathways model; the proposed high level research question; key implications of this question; and specific research questions on family functioning, health, non parental child care, children 0 - 13 years, education of children to 13 years, and interactions and changes over time. The appendices include information of some longitudinal studies of interest to LSAC.