Youth & children homelessness in Australia | The Salvation Army Australia

Youth homelessness in Australia is an issue that affects many young people across a broad range of demographics. While the prevalence of couch surfing means youth homelessness statistics can't capture the full picture, the available evidence does illustrate the scale of the challenge and the need for an effective response.

Supporting young people experiencing homelessness in Australia

How many young people are experiencing homelessness?

Almost one in four people experiencing homelessness are children or young people aged 18 and under — a heartbreaking reminder of how early housing insecurity can begin.

The highest rates of homelessness per 10,000 people in 2021 were for the 19–24 age group at 91 people per 10,000
The under 12 age group increased to 48 people experiencing homelessness per 10,000 in 2021, up from 45 in 2016

^{Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021}

It can be difficult to obtain accurate statistics on youth homelessness, as some young people temporarily stay with friends or other households if they are unable to remain in their permanent home — a practice often referred to as “couch surfing”. As a result, they may report a home address on Census night despite not living there permanently.

Facts about youth homelessness from the 2021 Census give an idea as to where young people are mostly living when experiencing homelessness

Roughly half of all youth experiencing homelessness live in ‘severely’ crowded dwellings (52% males and 49.1% per cent females)
9.9% of young females stay temporarily with other households, compared to 8.5% of males
15% of young males live in boarding houses, compared to 10.4% of females

^{Source: ABS Census 2021}

Youth homelessness statistics — people seeking support

Of all young people seeking support from Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) in 2024–25, 27% (or 78,800) were aged under 18.

On any given day, across Australia in 2025, SHS supported 20,800 children in families. Families with children may be sleeping in cars or temporarily with friends or family — in what could be classed as a 'severely’ crowded dwelling.

Statistics from Australian Insitute of Health and Welfare show 11,900 young people across Australia presented on their own for support on any given day in 2025.

Further statistics show the challenges and demographics of the young people presenting alone for support:

Just under half (48%) of young people receiving SHS support in 2024-25 experienced alcohol or drug issues, a current mental health issue, or both
Housing crisis (for example, eviction) was the most common main reason for seeking support in 2024–25 among young people aged 18–21 (22%) and 22–24 (23%)
Of the 40,500 vulnerable young people seeking assistance from presenting alone SHS in 2024-25 (presenting alone), 65% were female, 34% identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and 71.8% weren’t enrolled in any form of education or training

^{Source: AIHW, 2024–25}

Support provided by SHS helps to address young people’s immediate, medium-term, and long-term needs. This includes emergency accommodation, assistance with tenancy advocacy, and essential material aid such as food vouchers. The services also help young people with meeting their life goals. Many request — and receive — support with life skills, education and employment.

Learn more about youth homelessness

Services needed by young people aged 12–17 presenting alone who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness

Living skills/personal development 43%
Educational assistance 33%
Family/relationship assistance 30%
Employment assistance 21%
Training assistance 16%
Mental health services 15%

_{Source: AIHW, 2024-25}

Cost of youth homelessness

Youth homelessness has an overwhelming impact on young people’s mental health. Of those receiving SHS support alone in 2024–25, (AIHW, Data table, Clients 47). Research shows that mental health conditions can adversely impact a young person’s ability to pursue an education, successfully hold a job, build relationships, and otherwise function in society. This is especially the case if the mental conditions are left untreated.

A report released in 2016, The Cost of Youth Homelessness in Australia, showed the average cost of health services per year for youth experiencing homelessness to be four times higher than for the general population ($8505 per person per annum versus $2271 per person per annum). This includes overnight stays in mental health facilities, general practitioner visits, specialists, emergency department visits, ambulance services and rehabilitation facilities for alcohol and other drugs.

Evidence suggests that providing support to young people at risk of homelessness can prevent it from occurring and even be cost-effective in the long term. This is why The Salvation Army believes in taking a preventative approach.

Learn more facts about homelessness

Supporting young people experiencing homelessness

The Salvation Army has tailored services throughout Australia to support youth at risk of and experiencing homelessness.

We support young people with living skills, personal development skills, educational assistance, gaining a driver licence, employment assistance and job training assistance. By providing these services, young people at risk of homelessness are more resilient to avoiding it. For those who do experience homelessness, these skills reduce recurrence once they are in a stable home.

Salvation Army statistics show that in 2024–25, we provided:

More than 59,500 bed nights to young people who were at risk of or experiencing homelessness
Nearly 1050 young people with assistance with learning how to drive
Nearly 4800 young Australians with support through our programs