Australian Institute of Family Studies
Encyclopedia
The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) is an Australian Government statutory agency in the portfolio of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
. It is located in Melbourne
, Victoria, Australia. Its role is to conduct research and communicate findings that affect family wellbeing to policy makers, service providers and the broader community.
The Director of AIFS is Professor Alan Hayes, and the Chairman of the Advisory Council is Reverend the Honourable Professor Brian Howe AO.
, the inclusion of an Institute of Family Studies (as it was then known) had been an eleventh hour amendment to the Bill which helped to get the Family Law Act 1975 over the final hurdle of a Parliamentary debate which had lasted more than 18 months.
AIFS’ first major study was the Australian Family Formation Project, which commenced in 1981. Other key studies in the early years included the Children in Families Study, the Cost of Children Study and the Economic Consequences of Marital Breakdown Study. This study was influential in demonstrating the need for an Australian child support scheme, which was subsequently introduced in 1988. Further research conducted by AIFS was instrumental in providing the evidence base for the major changes to the scheme that were made in 2006.
Emerging issues in the late-80s and early-90s that were the focus of work at AIFS included work and family, early childhood and family law. Broader issues of economic and social wellbeing led to the establishment of the Australian Living Standards Study.
In 2000, AIFS became the host of the Australian Temperament Project, a large longitudinal study of children’s development that began in 1983. The study investigates pathways to psychosocial adjustment across childhood and adolescence, and results from the study have been published extensively in scientific journals. The Growing Up in Australia: Longitudinal Study of Australian Children commenced in 2004, a major study following the development of 10,000 children and families from all parts of Australia. The study is investigating the contribution of children’s social, economic and cultural environments to their adjustment and wellbeing.
The National Child Protection Clearinghouse was transferred to AIFS from the Australian Institute of Criminology
in 1995. Research on child protection issues has been used in reviews of Australian Child Protection systems, such as the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in New South Wales
, Australia.
Other clearinghouses established at the Institute include:
More recently, AIFS undertook an extensive evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms.
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is an Australian Government department. The Department was first established in 1911...
. It is located in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria, Australia. Its role is to conduct research and communicate findings that affect family wellbeing to policy makers, service providers and the broader community.
The Director of AIFS is Professor Alan Hayes, and the Chairman of the Advisory Council is Reverend the Honourable Professor Brian Howe AO.
History
The Australian Institute of Family Studies was established in February 1980. Born largely out of concerns about the possible effects of no-fault divorceNo-fault divorce
No-fault divorce is a divorce in which the dissolution of a marriage requires neither a showing of wrong-doing of either party nor any evidentiary proceedings at all...
, the inclusion of an Institute of Family Studies (as it was then known) had been an eleventh hour amendment to the Bill which helped to get the Family Law Act 1975 over the final hurdle of a Parliamentary debate which had lasted more than 18 months.
AIFS’ first major study was the Australian Family Formation Project, which commenced in 1981. Other key studies in the early years included the Children in Families Study, the Cost of Children Study and the Economic Consequences of Marital Breakdown Study. This study was influential in demonstrating the need for an Australian child support scheme, which was subsequently introduced in 1988. Further research conducted by AIFS was instrumental in providing the evidence base for the major changes to the scheme that were made in 2006.
Emerging issues in the late-80s and early-90s that were the focus of work at AIFS included work and family, early childhood and family law. Broader issues of economic and social wellbeing led to the establishment of the Australian Living Standards Study.
In 2000, AIFS became the host of the Australian Temperament Project, a large longitudinal study of children’s development that began in 1983. The study investigates pathways to psychosocial adjustment across childhood and adolescence, and results from the study have been published extensively in scientific journals. The Growing Up in Australia: Longitudinal Study of Australian Children commenced in 2004, a major study following the development of 10,000 children and families from all parts of Australia. The study is investigating the contribution of children’s social, economic and cultural environments to their adjustment and wellbeing.
The National Child Protection Clearinghouse was transferred to AIFS from the Australian Institute of Criminology
Australian Institute of Criminology
The Australian Institute of Criminology is Australia's national research and knowledge centre on crime and justice. The Institute seeks to promote justice and reduce crime by undertaking and communicating evidence-based research to inform policy and practice.The functions of the AIC include...
in 1995. Research on child protection issues has been used in reviews of Australian Child Protection systems, such as the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia.
Other clearinghouses established at the Institute include:
- Communities and Families Clearinghouse Australia (2005- ) (formerly known as the Stronger Families Learning Exchange (2000–2004))
- Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault (2003- )
- Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse (2006- )
- Closing the Gap Clearinghouse (in partnership with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) (2009- )
More recently, AIFS undertook an extensive evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms.
Research Program
AIFS reviews its research plan every three years. The current research plan (2009–2012) focuses on the following themes:- Economic wellbeing of families
- Families and work
- Social inclusion
- Violence, abuse and neglect
- Family transitions and family lawFamily lawFamily law is an area of the law that deals with family-related issues and domestic relations including:*the nature of marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships;...
- Children, young peopleYoung PeopleYoung People is a 1961 Mexican crime film directed by Luis Alcoriza. It was entered into the 11th Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Teresa Velázquez - Olga * Julio Alemán - El Gato* Adriana Roel - Alicia...
and their families
Research Communication
AIFS communicates the findings of its research and analysis via:- Publications, including the research journal Family Matters (first published in 1987), research papers and report series.
- Website, including reports on programs and activities; access to publications; information from databases and resource collections.
- Seminar series and biennial conference
- Information services, including a library that contains a substantial and up-to-date collection of international and Australian research on family wellbeing in Australia.