Mission Australia believes all Australian children should experience a safe, healthy and happy childhood.

We recognise that some families find it difficult to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which children can thrive and have a solid foundation for success.

For young children and their families, we offer assistance so they have every opportunity to succeed. Firstly we seek to understand their situation, then we help them implement ways to overcome their more immediate challenges and build resilience for the future. In implementing these solutions, we work with the existing strengths of the children and their families.

We offer strategies for helping families and communities to both become stronger and be able to nurture and support their children. We provide a range of services along the continuum of care, in the form of prevention and early intervention, counselling, case management, and residential programs.

Our services give parents and children the individual support they need to assist the entire family back on their feet.

View our families and children mini site

Here are some of our services that help Australian families:

• Pathways projects
• Communities for Children
• Referral for Active Intervention
• Brighter Futures
• Fairfax House

Pathways projects (NSW, VIC, WA, NSW)

Pathways is an early intervention program for young children and their families. The project promotes healthy development, positive relationships and strong communities. Each of our four Pathways services is structured around the specific needs of the community within which it is located. In Victoria, our Pathways program is focused on supporting the children of African refugee families living in Northern Metropolitan Melbourne to make positive transitions into and through school. In Inala, Queensland, Pathways seeks to improve the opportunities and life chances of children by developing their social, communication and behavioural skills while enhancing the ability of caregivers to respond to their children’s needs appropriately. Our Miller Pathways in South Western Sydney provides supported playgroups, nutrition programs and a family resource centre. In Perth, Mirabooka Pathways works with local schools to provide professionally facilitated playgroups for 0-5 year olds alongside family supports.

Communities for Children (NSW, QLD, WA, TAS, VIC)

Communities for Children is a federally funded program that takes a collaborative approach in seeking to achieve better outcomes for children aged 0–5 and their families. It is implemented through a national framework which allows for tailored approaches at the local level and provides communities with the opportunity to develop flexible and innovative approaches that best reflect their circumstances. Mission Australia is a coordinating partner in six locations in NSW, QLD and VIC, and is a community partner in TAS and WA.

Referral for Active Intervention (QLD)

The Referral for Active Intervention (RAI) Services is an early intervention and prevention intensive family support service for families with children aged 0-8 who are known to the Queensland Department of Child Safety (DChS). Its primary purpose is to improve the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children. Mission Australia provides this service in three Queensland locations - Inala/Goodna, Caboolture/Deception Bay and Ipswich.

Brighter Futures (NSW)

Brighter Futures is a voluntary, targeted program designed for families encountering problems that impact on their ability to care for their children. The program provides families with the necessary support and services to help prevent an escalation of the problems they are facing. The program recognises that supporting families before problems reach a crisis improves family resilience, promotes healthy child development, and reduces child abuse and neglect.

Fairfax House (NSW)

Fairfax House provides a safe and secure environment for families in crisis. The service provides ongoing holistic case management and support. Families receive assistance with basic living, money management and parenting skills, securing education, English classes, employment opportunities, childcare and permanent housing.