1. To document the history of policy, programs and initiatives by Federal, State and Territory governments to assist homeless youth.

2. To identify the issues that prevent homeless young people from connecting with their local community and participating in the broader society as active citizens.

3. To draw attention to positive and negative changes affecting homeless young people since the last national independent inquiry on youth homelessness by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in 1989.

4. To report on the adequacy of existing services and programs, as well as identifying innovative initiatives for responding to the needs of homeless young people.

5. To recommend actions that should be taken by various stakeholders and government authorities to resolve and ameliorate the problem of youth homelessness within a broad policy framework from prevention to post-supported accommodation.

6. To explore the basis for a renewed national accord between the Commonwealth and the states and territories and between government and the community on the issue of youth homelessness.