A study by the University of New South Wales tracked the costs associated with 11 homeless people who had accessed federal and state government services during their lives.
Between them, they had cost nearly $22 million - or just under $2 million each.
The lowest cost of any of those surveyed, who ranged in age between their 20s and their 40s, was $960,000.
One woman, who entered the criminal justice system as a 12-year-old, had racked up $5.5 million by the time she turned 21, with police time, legal aid, housing services and welfare all contributing to the total.
"The research that has been launched today really underlines the problems that occur when governments try to focus on symptoms, not cures," Federal Minister for Housing and Homelessness Brendan O'Connor said on Wednesday.
Speaking at Barnardos Auburn Children's Family Centre, Mr O'Connor said more had to be done to stop children and young people becoming homeless in the first place, with more spent on resources including child protection and mental health support.
"It's incredible, in a wealthy nation, that so many people are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless," he said.
"This is a national challenge, it's not just a government challenge.
"It is unacceptable that so many of our fellow Australians find themselves in this position."
The federal government aims to halve the rate of homelessness in Australia by 2020.
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