The Mission Australia Youth Survey is the largest annual survey of young people in Australia. Now in its 20th year, the Youth Survey aims to identify the values, aspirations and issues of concern to young people. The Youth Survey was developed by Mission Australia to strengthen Mission Australia’s capacity to support and advocate for young people in need.

In 2021, over 20,000 young people in Australia aged 15 to 19 years participated in the Youth Survey.

As well as collecting valuable socio-demographic data, the Youth Survey 2021 sought to capture the views and perspectives of young people on a broad range of issues. Topics covered by the survey include education and employment, barriers to achieving study or work goals, participation in community activities, general wellbeing, preferred sources of support, as well as feelings about the future. Additional questions were added this year to explore young people’s experiences of COVID-19, disability supports and their housing situation.