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Parents are one of young people's primary sources of information on transition options (Whiteley 2001). Parents are more likely to have discussed printed careers information with their children than are careers teachers or advisers (Russell & Wardman 1998). Parents guide many of the decisions taken by young people in their transition pathways (Youth Pathways Taskforce 2001). Studies indicate widespread parental dissatisfaction with the quality of information provided, as well as a desire to make a greater contribution to their children's transition decisions, yet parents are almost completely neglected in current careers education and school-to-work transition projects. The Brotherhood's [of St Laurence] PACTS [Parents As Career and Transition Supports] program has been developed to address this gap, and aims to empower parents to make a positive contribution to their child's transition choices. It is based on the recognition that many parents do not have up-to-date information or knowledge about career and transition options, and that there are few resources available to assist them. [The program is] currently funded by the Federal Government (through DEST [Department of Education, Science and Training]). Initial survey results showed that: 100 per cent of parents think it is important to be involved in their child's transition; 80 per cent of young people say they would like help from their parents in making decisions; however, only 20 per cent of parents feel they currently have sufficient knowledge of employment and training options to help their child make a decision about what to do after leaving school.