A 2020 study just released by Mission Australia has revealed five per cent of young people in the country are in a family where both parents are unemployed.
A greater investment in mentoring is required to address the problem, according to the study.
Key national findings
Education
The study found that of the young people without parent/s or guardian/s in paid work:
- 78% are studying full-time, compared with 88% for those who have parents/guardians in paid work.
- 10% are studying part-time, compared with 6%
- 12% are not studying, compared with 6%.
Employment
- A much smaller proportion of respondents without parent/s or guardian/s in paid work were working part-time (28% compared with 42%).
- A much greater proportion of respondents without parent/s or guardian/s in paid work were looking for work (43% compared with 34%).
Financial concerns
Young people without parent/s or guardian/s in paid work were much more likely to have experienced the following due to money concerns:
- Not being able to pay bills (31% compared with 10%)
- Seeking assistance from welfare organisations (28% compared with 7%)
- Not being able to pay for petrol or car expenses (26% compared with 7%)
* Compared with respondents with parent/s or guardian/s in paid work.
Young people without parent/s or guardian/s in paid work were much more likely to have gone without the following items due to money concerns:
- A holiday with family (49% compared with 28%)
- A meal out with family once a month (35% compared with 16%)
- Going out with friends (33% compared with 15%)
* Compared with respondents with parent/s or guardian/s in paid work
Experience of unfair treatment
More than one third of young people without parent/s or guardian/s in paid work experienced unfair treatment in the past twelve months (36% compared with 26% of respondents with parent/s or guardian/s in paid work).
Young people without parent/s or guardian/s in paid work were more likely to experience unfair treatment due to their:
· Financial background (22% compared with 8%)
· Mental health (38% compared with 25%)
· Disability (16% compared with 6%)
* Compared with respondents with parent/s or guardian/s in paid work
Personal concerns
Young people without parent/s or guardian/s in paid work experienced much higher levels of personal concern about:
- Financial security (27% compared with 14%)
- Family conflict (25% compared with 15%)
- Domestic/family violence (15% compared with 7%)
* Compared with respondents with parent/s or guardian/s in paid work
Recommendations
Governments have a key role to play in addressing disadvantage among young Australians, and Mission Australia believes they should act to:
- Develop a whole-of-society approach to improving outcomes for young people, led by the Federal Government.
- Fund and replicate evidence-based programs with proven success in supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to remain engaged with education.
- Fund, evaluate and replicate alternative education pathways that address the complex needs of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Develop a national youth employment strategy.
- Ensure that all households in Australia have access to adequate income through decent, stable work options or adequate income support payments during periods of unemployment.
- Ensure that all schools have developed and implemented an evidence-based strategy to address bullying, harassment and discrimination.
- Fund free or low-cost school-based and community mental health supports.
- Fully fund the Reconnect program to ensure it meets demand.
- Fund specific therapeutic interventions for children and young people who are victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.
The business sector also already plays a role and could expand this even further, through:
- Making recruitment decisions based on the strengths of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, including their high personal motivation.
- Investing in training and skills development programs that provide a pathway to employment.
- Provide mentoring programs.
- Invest in peer networking, mentoring programs and paid cadetships to keep young people employed over the long term.
Philanthropic organisations can also draw on the Youth Survey as a data source to inform their investment in addressing complex social issues through evidence-based approaches.
For more information email Mission Australia at [email protected]
