Drawing on labour force data and previous research findings, this report explores poor labour force attachment among young people. It focuses particularly on the ‘not fully engaged’ (NFE) group of young people and its changing composition over the past decade. Alternative indicators that may better capture labour market disadvantage among young people are canvassed.

The report also summarises previous research into a range of possible risk factors for poor labour force attachment, such as early school leaving, young motherhood, disability, being Indigenous and having a language background other than English.

This report is timely given the likelihood that young people will be one of the groups most adversely affected in the labour market in the current economic downturn.