Growing up in Australia

Growing up in Australia: the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) is a major study following the development of 10,000 children and families across Australia. The study tracks the children’s development and life course trajectories in today’s economic, social and political environment. LSAC commenced in 2004 with two cohorts of 5,000 children each, aged 4 - 5 and 0 - 1 years.

LSAC is conducted through a partnership between the Department of Social Services, the Australian Institute of Family Studies and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. A group of leading researchers from universities around Australia provide content and methodology advice.

Notices

• A new version of LSAC was released on the 29th of June 2021. New in this release: For study youth - health and wellbeing during the Coronavirus Restriction Period (CRP), study and work during CRP, experiences of natural disasters, loneliness, and optimism. For study parent - health and wellbeing during the Coronavirus Restriction Period (CRP), work and caring during CRP, experiences of natural disasters, and optimism.

Data Access

There are two versions of the LSAC data available: the General Release and the Restricted Release. There are also four linked datasets; the AEDC linked Dataset; the Medicare linked Dataset; the Centrelink linked Dataset; and the LSAC Child Health Checkpoint. The next release of LSAC will include the first seven waves of data.

To understand which dataset best suits your research needs, please refer to the Guidelines.

All applicants for Datasets must complete a once only Confidentiality Deed Poll and email the scanned, signed copy to DSS (LongitudinalStudiesDataAccess@dss.gov.au) and ADA (ada@ada.edu.au) before applications will be approved. Electronic signatures are currently accepted.

To request access to the data, click on the name of dataset you want from the list below, and then click on the "Request Access" button to start the online request form. You will need to log on to Dataverse first.

Want to know more?

To find out more about the LSAC study:

• View the DSS LSAC fact sheet.
• Visit the DSS LSAC website.
• Visit the Growing Up in Australia website.

Details about the DSS Longitudinal Studies are available from the Department of Social Services.