Children and young people in WA face growing challenges including poverty, mental health issues, poor access to timely health care, and educational vulnerabilities. About 17% of children live in poverty—double for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children—and one in seven young people report anxiety or depression, with suicide the leading cause of death for ages 15–24. One in five children start school developmentally vulnerable, with migrant and refugee children facing additional barriers such as trauma and language difficulties.
Despite WA’s economic strength, many children still experience persistent disadvantage. A coordinated, whole‑of‑government Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy is urgently needed to integrate services across health, education, and social sectors. This strategy should prioritise school-based mental health support, culturally safe programs for Aboriginal children, and targeted poverty reduction, ensuring children receive holistic, effective support statewide.
