Challenges foster children face

Foster children often find their "family life" comes to an abrupt end when they turn 18 years old. Welfare groups say the system needs to change so young people can transition gradually from care to adult life.

Source: AAP

Census figures show about three in four Australian 18-year-olds still live with their parents, but, for young people leaving foster care, the reality is very different.

The Create Foundation, supporting current and former foster children, says, once they turn 18, there is no obligation for them or their case managers to report their whereabouts.

As a result, it is hard to know what happens to many, but it is estimated around four in five 18-year-olds leaving care are forced to rely on themselves.