What we do
The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) is the Australian Government's key research body in the area of family wellbeing.
Its role is to increase understanding of factors affecting how Australian families function by:
- conducting research; and
- disseminating findings.
The Institute's work provides an evidence base for developing policy and practice related to the wellbeing of families in Australia.
Strategic directions
AIFS strategic directions 2012-15: Australian families in a rapidly changing world outlines the Institute's goals in supporting its research and communication activities. The Institute's strategic directions for 2012-2015 are:
Research directions
AIFS research directions 2012-15: Australian families in a rapidly changing world. The Institute has identified four key directions for its research from 2012-2015:
- Family change, functioning and wellbeing;
- Social and economic participation for families;
- Child and family safety; and
- Services to support families.
Current research projects related to the 2012-2015 research themes.
Major research projects and information exchange
The Research Program includes the following major projects and Information exchanges that the Institute manages under contract for the Australian Government.
- Australian Temperament Project
- Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault (ACSSA)
- Building a New Life in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Humanitarian Migrants
- Child Family Community Australia (CFCA)
- Closing the Gap Clearinghouse
- Growing Up in Australia: the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC)
- National Research Study on the Service Response to Past Adoption Practices
- Research on Independent Children’s Lawyers
- Stronger Families in Australia
- Young Parents and their Children in Australia (YPCA) Study
Communicating research
The Institute communicates the findings of its research and analysis to a range of stakeholders including policy makers, service providers and the broader community.
Publications
Our publications include the research journal, Family Matters, research papers, issues papers and newsletters.
Website
Our website reports on our programs and activities; provides access to our publications; disseminates information from our databases and resource collections; and promotes the development of networks with individuals and organisations concerned with family research and policy.
Seminars
Our seminars present eminent speakers who focus on contemporary issues in national and international family research.
Information services
We provide information services through our research staff and our library which contains a substantial, up-to-date collection of international and Australian research on family wellbeing in Australia.
Promising Practice Profiles
Based on the latest research, we identify and disseminate promising practice in the areas of early childhood, community development and early intervention and sexual assault.