Madi Craig knew she was at risk of dropping out of school.

She struggled with tests during high school. And then, in year 10, she fell further behind after her single mother had a heart attack and was rushed to hospital. She refused to leave her mum's side for three weeks.

Madi Craig says she was at risk of disengaging from high school but perservered with the help of the Smith Family. Credit:Pat Scala

"I thought that school wasn't for me," she said. "I didn't have that role model who went through school because mum dropped out of school."

Disengaged young Australians are costing taxpayers a staggering $18.8 billion by increasing crime, clogging health services, relying on welfare and reducing tax revenue.