About the Transition Compass Project
Transition Compass is a national co-design research initiative led by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, and lived-experience advocates, working to transform how young people with chronic health conditions move from paediatric to adult healthcare services.
Each year, thousands of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in Australia are expected to navigate this critical transition — a journey that can often feel fragmented, confusing, and unsupported. For those living with lifelong health conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, cerebral palsy, or congenital heart disease, disengagement from care during this period can result in serious health setbacks and increased hospital admissions. Transition Compass is here to change that.
Backed by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), Transition Compass brings together AYAs, their families, and healthcare professionals in a series of interactive co-design workshops. Together, they explore what a "successful transition" really means — not just clinically, but emotionally, socially, and practically.
Why It Matters
Over the next two decades, an estimated 2.5 million AYAs will undergo the transition from child to adult healthcare. Yet despite its importance, national guidance is lacking, and support systems remain siloed. Transition Compass aims to shift the focus from systems to people — helping to ensure that no young person falls through the cracks during this pivotal life stage.
By elevating lived experience and embedding equity at every step, Transition Compass is charting a new path forward — one where healthcare grows with young people, not away from them.
Supporting young people with chronic conditions to navigate the move from paediatric to adult care — with confidence and continuity.
What We're Doing
Listening deeply: We engage directly with young people, parents, paediatric and adult health professionals to capture their lived experiences, challenges, and insights.
Designing together: Through up to 15 online workshops, we co-develop meaningful tools — including new patient-reported experience and outcome measures — that reflect what matters most to those navigating the transition.
Laying the foundation: This first phase will inform a future intervention that aims to improve health outcomes, continuity of care, and engagement in health services for AYAs across Australia.