Every November, we celebrate Transition to Adulthood (T2A) Month in support of young people in Queensland who make the transition from out-of-home care to independence.
The transition to adulthood is a big step that includes finding a place to live, getting a job or continuing education, building support networks, learning to budget and so much more.
CREATE Foundation CEO, Imogen Edeson said it’s vital that young people understand early on that they are not alone in their transition from care to adulthood, particularly in the face of growing cost-of-living pressures.
“Young people leaving out-of-home care are telling us they’re struggling with the rising cost of living, as well as challenges in finding stable housing and employment,” Ms Edeson said.
“We want every young person making this transition to know who they can turn to, what supports are available, and most importantly that there’s an entire community standing behind them.”
“The early adult years are some of the most formative years for young people who are completing study and training, starting out in their careers, and most importantly, choosing their path in life.”
“The transition to adulthood is the time to set young people up to thrive.”
Insights from young people about the transition from care to adulthood (CREATE Foundation 2025):
- “It was hard to find support. Even if you already had workers in place, they don’t always do their job properly.”
- “I transitioned into a homeless shelter because there were no proper housing options…”
- “It’s a reminder that we didn’t have a proper childhood. You couldn’t be a teenager and do teenage things. You had to focus on planning your adulthood because nobody else was going to do it.”
- “The actual transition went fairly smoothly, but afterwards was quite rough … the worker wasn’t very good. I would ask for advice and they would print out wiki articles on what to do. I eventually just stopped talking to them.”
- “It was lonely.”
This year’s theme T2A Month, “Thriving beyond care,” is all about equipping young people with the essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their adult life.
Young people can join CREATE Foundation for a month filled with fun events, workshops with expert advice, and practical tips that will empower young Queenslanders to take on adulthood like a pro.
T2A Month is celebrated across Queensland with events hosted by CREATE Foundation and other services. Find events: create.org.au/t2a
T2A Month promises to be an unforgettable 30 days dedicated to the education, empowerment and celebration of young people transitioning from care to adulthood.
Details: T2A Month Launch (6 November)
Who: Young people aged 15-19 with a care experience and their carers
When: Thursday, 6 November 2025
Where: SeaWorld, Gold Coast
What: Stalls, activities, food and afternoon entry to SeaWorld after exploring the stalls and services on offer to support your transition to independence
RSVP: Get tickets on our T2A Month webpage
CREATE Foundation is the Australian national consumer body representing the voices of children and young people with an out-of-home care experience. We provide programs to children and young people with an out-of-home care experience. We listen to what those with lived experience tell us, and advocate with and for them to achieve systemic change. CREATE is a national leader in child and youth participation in Australia, bringing 25 years of child voice and participation expertise.
*ENDS*
For further comment from CREATE Foundation’s CEO, Imogen Edeson, contact Taylor Toovey, Communications and Media Specialist via (m) 0478 814 752 or taylor.toovey@create.org.au
Key statistics on out-of-home care in Australia
- 12,500 children and young people are currently living in out-of-home care in Queensland (Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety, 2025).
- There are currently around 44,900 children and young people in out-of-home (OOHC) care nationally (AIHW, 2024).
- As of 30 June 2024, of the 44,900 people in out-of-home care, 20,000 were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children (AIHW, 2024).
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). Child protection Australia 2023–24. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/child-protection/child-protection-australia-2023-24/contents/about
CREATE Foundation. (2025). This matters to us: Lived experience insights from children and young people with a care experience 2024-2025. This-matters-to-us-CREATE-Foundation-Youth-Advisory-Group-Report-2024-2025.pdf
Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety. (2025). Children in Care Census 2024. https://performance.dcssds.qld.gov.au/improving-care-and-post-care-support/who-we-work-with/2024-census-of-children-in-care
