AFTER a comprehensive survey of 505 young people throughout the nation and a series of in-depth interviews, Monash University’s ‘Understanding Young People in Australia Today’ report echoes the voices of Australia’s 18–24-year-olds. Among the report’s key findings:
Education
• A sense of belonging matters to young Australians but less than half of respondents felt like they belonged when they were at their educational institution.
• Only one in five are studying exclusively face-to-face.
• Only 53% of young Australians agree that their education prepared them for the future.
Financial insecurity
• 90% of young Australians experienced financial difficulties at some point during the last 12 months.
• With rising costs of living, some are concerned about their access to fresh fruits and vegetables now and in the future.
• Half went without eating for a whole day because of lack of money at some point during the same period.
• Over half (53%) think they will be financially worse off than their parents.
Gender equality
• Young Australians perceive a movement towards more equal gender relationships at home, with over half (56%) believing that unpaid domestic work is not determined by gender.
However, a large proportion (59%) think that the type of career pathway young people choose and the amount of money young people get paid in the workforce (58%) are determined by one’s gender.
Housing
• Young people living in metropolitan areas (25%) are more likely to think it is unlikely or extremely unlikely that they will be able to purchase a property than those living in rural (20%) or regional (11%) areas.
Health and well-being
• Almost one-quarter rate their mental health as poor or very poor.
• Most (85%) report feelings of worry, anxiety or pessimism. Almost one-half (45%) often felt as though they were missing out on being young.
Civic participation and social media
• Young Australians are engaged in their communities. Almost three-quarters of participants volunteered, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people more likely to have volunteered during the last year compared with other young Australians.
• Most (87%) respondents see barriers to being involved in organised activities on issues important to them.
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