Inequality in Australia: insights from the Life Chances Study 1990–2024,

The study followed 167 infants born in two inner Melbourne suburbs who were recruited through local Maternal and Child Health Services. The suburbs had a mix of substantial public housing and renovated terraced housing with diverse populations in terms of income, education and ethnicity. The families in the study reflected the diversity of the two suburbs with a mix of high, middle and low-income families, private renters, public housing tenants and homeowners. Life Chances has provided insights into the impacts of advantage and disadvantage over four life phases: • the early years • the school years • transitions from school • work and family life. At each stage of the study various aspects of inequality were examined to highlight impacts on the financial security and life chances of the participants.