Developing the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Children

Abstract

The Longitudinal Survey of Australian Children (LSAC) is part of the federal government's Stronger Families and Communities Strategy (SFCS). It aims to add to the understanding of early childhood development and inform social policy debate (particularly in the Australian context), in policy areas concerning children, specifically parenting, family relationships and functioning, early childhood education and schooling, child care and health. This paper provides an introduction to the objectives, design and current progress of LSAC. The paper includes discussion of the importance of longitudinal research, and of the literature on the importance of the early years of life, including analysis of the role that governments should play in understanding and optimising early childhood experiences.