About us

We aim to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Australian Children.

NSW CDS logo displaying a child, adolescent and adult

About the NSW Child Development Study

The NSW Child Development Study is an established, longitudinal population cohort study of more than >90,000 children (and their parents) which aims to inform the promotion of emotional and mental health, and the prevention of mental ill-health, among all Australian children and young people as they develop into adulthood.

Why is the NSW Child Development Study important?

The NSW Child Development Study provides valuable information to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Australian children and young people. Results from the study are used by schools, government agencies, and other service providers to inform the type of supports and policy developments that are needed to prevent the onset of mental illness, as well as to inform community-based action to promote mental health during critical years of development. By following a population cohort from birth through to adulthood within an intergenerational framework, the NSW Child Development study provides unique information that cannot be found in cross-sectional studies and complements the findings of other longitudinal studies of smaller, selected cohorts. Our findings inform universal programs for prevention and mental health promotion, as well as indicated interventions for young people who may be vulnerable to certain mental health or other social problems.

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Our research

The NSW-CDS provides valuable information to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Australian children and young people. Find out more about how we do this.

Our people

Find out more about the NSW-CDS multidisciplinary team, with expertise in child and adolescent mental health and development, child protection, psychiatry, psychology, epidemiology, criminology, and education.  

Our funding

Learn about our current and previous funding support, and research partnerships.