What do parents really need? We’re about to find out

Australian parents and caregivers are being invited to share their experiences in the Parenting Today survey – a first-of-its-kind national study capturing the experiences, strengths, and support needs of parents and caregivers across the country.

Led by the Parenting Research Centre, the Parenting Today survey focuses on parenting confidence and wellbeing, community connection, information sourcing, and the types of support families want most.

“Australia’s parenting landscape is evolving, and the Parenting Today survey is a timely and much-needed initiative to understand the challenges and strengths of families across the country,” said Parenting Research Centre Principal Research Specialist Dr Catherine Wade, who is Lead Investigator for the study.

The Parenting Today survey will provide a national snapshot of parenting experiences in Australia today and deliver rich, contemporary data to inform policy, programs and investments that support Australian families to thrive.”

Opening in mid-2025, the Parenting Today survey will give a voice to around 10,000 parents and caregivers of children aged 0-18 years. A cross-sectional study, the survey will be repeated in 2028 to track change over time.

Some key insights that will be gathered from the survey include:

• Where parents go for information and advice
• Gaps in parenting support and service access
• Parents’ sense of community connection
• Feelings of loneliness, guilt or shame
• The impact of cost-of-living pressures
• Parent mental health and wellbeing
• Parents’ understanding of their child’s digital and social media use
• Parent-child relationship dynamics.

Parenting Research Centre CEO Rob Ryan said the national survey builds on the success of the long-running Parenting Today in Victoria survey, which has been shaping state policy for nearly a decade.

“We have a strong track record in Victoria, where, by working in partnership with the Victorian Government, the Parenting Today in Victoria survey results have informed policy decisions,” Mr Ryan said.

“The Parenting Research Centre has been a leader in providing best-practice parenting support in Australia for almost 30 years, and is well placed to expand this survey nationally, to understand concerns, areas of strength, and trends among parents from across Australia.”

The Parenting Research Centre is working with government, peak bodies and parenting support providers to ensure widespread dissemination of the survey and is keen to speak to potential funders about possible nested projects to explore local needs, specific populations, or organisational priorities.

The Parenting Today survey will be open to all parents and primary caregivers of children aged 0-18 in Australia and is currently supported by funding from the Minderoo Foundation and the Victorian Government.

More information can be found at www.parentingrc.org.au/tools/parenting-today/

More information

To partner with us or fund a deeper dive into your community’s needs, contact:
Dr Catherine Wade
Principal Research Specialist and Parenting Today Lead Investigator
E: parentingtoday@parentingrc.org.au
P: 0407 941 056

For general information, interviews or media enquiries, please contact:
Amber Ledsam & Stephanie Childs
Parenting Research Centre communications team
E: media@parentingrc.org.au
P: 0407 925 523