Family Pathways
Family Pathways is a series of studies of separated families in Australia that are being conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
There are currently three related studies underway:
1. Family Pathways: The Longitudinal Study of Separated Families
2. Family Pathways: Looking Back
3. Family Pathways: The Adolescent Study
The Family Pathways studies aim to understand how changes to the family law system and the child support scheme affect the lives of separated parents and their children.
Family Pathways involves separated families across a broad range of family arrangements - from shared care through to less frequent contact.
Questions & Answers
About Family Pathways: The Longitudinal Study of Separated Families
Click to view brochure (PDF)
Information is being collected from some 10,000 separated parents from all over Australia. Parents have been randomly selected to be part of this new national study.
This longitudinal study will follow the same people over time. Learning about families' experiences over time will make it possible for researchers to find out when it is most important to offer services and support to children and their families after separation. This information will help improve understanding of the long-term effects of family law policy.
About Family Pathways: Looking Back
Click to view brochure (PDF)
Looking Back is a national study of separated parents. Information collected will be used to gain a better picture of how parents and their children are adjusting to life after separation and their pathways after separation. The survey will interview parents who separated prior to the introduction of reforms to the family law system in July 2006.
This study will provide a "snap-shot" in time. Parents are asked to look back on the time of separation. They are also asked about the changes and challenges they and their families have faced since separation. This information will be important for understanding a range of issues, including how families manage parenting after separation.
About Family Pathways: The Adolescent Study
Click to view brochure (PDF)
The Adolescent Study focuses on the experiences and opinions of young people whose parents have separated. These adolescents are the children of some of the participating parents from the Longitudinal Study. This survey presents us with the opportunity to further develop the picture of separated families in Australia, by adding the opinions and views of young people.
The study will provide an opportunity for young people to have their say. Understanding the different experiences within separated families will help us to identify ways in which support for young people and their families can be improved.
Who is this study being undertaken for?
The Family Pathways Study is being conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), on behalf of the Attorney-General's Department and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services, and Indigenous Affairs.
Findings from this study will be used to inform the Australian Government and influence policy, services and support for families. To find out more about AIFS, you can visit their website at www.aifs.gov.au
Main aims of the Family Pathways Study
The study aims to understand how the family law system and the child support scheme affect the lives of separated parents and their children. Family Pathways explores questions about separation and caring for children when a relationship ends.
What is involved?
An accredited interviewer from the Social Research Centre may telephone you to invite you to talk about your experiences. The interview will take approximately 20 minutes and arrangements can be made for us to call you at a time and place convenient for you.
Is the survey compulsory?
Taking part is completely voluntary and you can choose to not answer questions. Your child support and other payments or benefits will not be affected by whether you choose to participate in the study.
How do we ensure that your privacy is protected?
We will treat all information you provide in strict confidence as far as allowed by law. The information from your interview will be kept in a secure place at the Social Research Centre. The interview will not be recorded, with most answers simply stored as numeric codes. All information you give us during the interview will remain strictly confidential and will never be used in any way that identifies you, your child or family.
No other agency or department will have access to your details. We are bound by the Provisions of the Commonwealth Privacy Act, as amended in December 2001.
More information
Parents and adolescents who are part of the study can call the Social Research Centre directly to make an appointment for an interview, to discuss the interview process, update their contact details, or to take their name off the list for this research. The contact number for the Social Research Centre is Freecall 1800 443 135
Further details on the study and the valuable work conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies can be found on the website: www.aifs.gov.au/familypathways
National crisis services
- Dads in Distress Service Line 1300 853 437
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Just ask Mental Health Information Line (rural) 1300 13 11 14
- Mental Health GROW 1800 558 268
- SANE Mental Health Helpline 1800 18 7263
- Violence Against Women, Australian Says No Helpline 1800 200 526
National separation and related services
- Centrelink (income support & family payments) 1800 050 004
- Child Support Agency (child support) 131 272
- Family Relationship Advice Line (advice & referral) 1800 050 321
- MensLine Australia 1300 789 978
- Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
For young people
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