New data shows NSW has by far the largest number of unaccompanied homeless children in the country, prompting calls for greater funding for homelessness services.
In the 2023-4 financial year, 6,108 children aged 12 to 17 turned up at homelessness services without an adult in NSW.
That's more than twice as many as in Victoria where 2,762 children presented unaccompanied.
"The level of unaccompanied youth homelessness in NSW is far higher than every other state," said Homelessness NSW CEO Dominique Rowe.
"Thousands of children are being forced to navigate homelessness on their own - scared, vulnerable and without the support of an adult. This is extremely worrying.
"These children should be safe in their beds at night, not lining up at crisis services alone."
The data from the AIHW also showed that in the three years to 2024, almost half (47%) of unaccompanied children in NSW were experiencing a current mental health issue as well as homelessness.
More than half had experienced at least one of mental health issues, family and domestic violence, or problematic alcohol or other drug use.
"Homelessness services are doing the best they can to look after children in very complex situations - but we know they are overwhelmed.
"We are calling on the government to lift funding for services so they can meet the growing demand for support."
