The Inquiry’s Terms of Reference are included in the Committee's Resolution of Appointment. They are:

To inquire into and report on matters relating to welfare dependence of families and outcomes for children, and in conducting the inquiry, the committee:

1. examine the reasons for welfare dependence, with particular focus on why some families require welfare assistance for short periods only and why others become ‘trapped’ in the system;
2. consider:
   1. the factors preventing parents from gaining employment;
   2. the impact of intergenerational unemployment on children;
   3. the important role of parents as ‘first teachers’;
   4. a multi-generational approach which assists parents and their children together;
   5. the impact, if any, of welfare in creating disadvantage; and
   6. the impact of economic development in different locations and geography;
3. recommend options for:
   1. breaking cycles of disadvantage;
   2. measuring the effectiveness of evidence-based interventions;
   3. the improvement of the financial capacity and security of families; and
   4. better coordinating services between tiers of government to support families; and
4. consider any other related matter.