Health, Housing and Social Security

The purpose of this chapter is to examine the legal obligations imposed on the state to address the social welfare needs of children in the areas of health, housing and social security. Social welfare law in Australia reflects the central ethos of the Australian welfare state - that welfare provision is for those who cannot afford to pay for their own health care, housing or general welfare. Thus, a recurring theme in this area of the law, particularly as it affects children, is that families should look after their own children. This means that much of the Australian law in this area proceeds from this understanding of the role of families.