The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) is a landmark study for Australia. The ACMS research team has generated the first, nationally representative data on the prevalence of each of the five types of child maltreatment in Australia, and the associated health impacts through life.

The ACMS has found that child maltreatment is widespread and Australians who experience it are substantially more likely to have:

• severe mental health problems
• severe health risk behaviours
• higher health service utilisation.

This report presents the main findings from the ACMS for a general public audience. Forthcoming work will examine other important questions about the impacts of specific maltreatment experiences to generate additional evidence to inform governments and stakeholders about optimal prevention policy and practice.