The Need For Change

Profile of young people and disadvantage in Australia

There are 3.7 million young people in Australia.¹

1 in 13 are reported as victims of abuse and neglect.²
1 in 4 experience domestic violence.³
1 in 5 are living in poverty.⁴
1 in 70 are homeless.⁵
1 in 9 are unemployed and looking for work.⁶
1 in 33 suffer from a mental illness.⁷
1 in 100 are the primary carer for a relative or friend.⁸
1 in 5 will not attain Year 12 or an equivalent qualification.⁹

Abuse, neglect, poverty, homelessness, unemployment, isolation, poor mental health and learning difficulties are issues that affect too many young people in Australia.

Traditional welfare, education and employment models have failed to reduce the incidence of these issues or support young people experiencing disadvantage to pursue meaningful career and learning pathways.

Young people also face growing uncertainty due to significant global challenges, such as dwindling natural resources, climate change, political instability and volatile economies.

We need our young people to be active, creative, compassionate, skilled, valued and resilient to ensure these challenges can be addressed.

Not abused, neglected, impoverished, overburdened, isolated, underemployed or undereducated.

We need positive change.

Failure to act now will have a profound impact on our young people and our future.


Sources:
^{1 8} Australian Demographic Statistics (2006), Australian Bureau of Statistics
² Child Protection Australia (2007), Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
³ Young Australians and Domestic Violence (2001), Australian Institute of Criminology
⁴ Profile of Young Australians: Facts, figures and issues (2004), Foundation for Young Australians
⁵ Australia's Homeless Youth (2008), National Youth Commission
⁶ Labour Force Australia (2008), Australian Bureau of Statistics
⁷ Young Australians: Their health and wellbeing (2007), Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
⁹ How Young People are Faring (2007), Dusseldorp Skills Forum.