The Role of the Family in Facilitating the Human Capital and Labour Market Investments of Young Australians

This project will study the role of the family, interfamily financial transfers, and co-residence for young Australians investments in human capital and labour market skills. This is the first comprehensive such study in Australia. The empirical analysis will be based on data from Youth in Focus, a major research project involving a longitudinal survey of 4,000 Australian youths. The findings will inform public policy on several important issues including for example support to students, support to disadvantaged families, welfare dependency, housing costs, and housing planning. The project will also advance the literature by devising appropriate methods for analysing panel data and by extending the economic theory of the family.