Victorian people aged between 18 and 30 across the state face particular problems as they confront the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent cost-of-living crisis. Lower incomes, less secure employment, lower home ownership rates and a greater reliance on the private housing rental market all result in greater vulnerability.

Although experiencing better overall health than the adult population as a whole, they have become far more susceptible to mental health risks.The higher incidence of mental ill-health amongst younger people has become further exacerbated. It has reached a point at which many now proclaim there is a ‘crisis’. The policy measures taken by different jurisdictions can seem ‘too little and too late.’

While the 2024–25 Victorian Government state budget mentioned intergenerational equity, it only made limited proposals. Younger people are likelier to have more negative views on parliaments and elections. However, they are engaged with politics and public policy in their own ways. Various youth consultation bodies exist, and the Parliament of Victoria and sections of the state government have developed engagement strategies. Gaps often exist between these bodies’ suggestions and what representative institutions implement; ignoring young people’s proposals for action risks further alienation and disenchantment.

Parliaments and other representative institutions confront significant challenges in engaging with the public. While this is also true of their engagement with younger people, there is evidence that this demographic has developed ways of engaging in issues of public policy that tend to eschew traditional institutions and practices.

This paper adds to the discussion of these issues in Victoria in three ways. The first section outlines the demographics of younger people in Victoria. In doing so, it uses the definition of ‘younger people’ employed by the Victorian Parliament’s engagement policies: those aged between 18 and 30. Recognising the significant differences within this age cohort, it presents separate data on the 18–25 and 26–30 age groups where relevant.

The paper then outlines the results of more recent survey data—notably Monash University’s Youth Barometer and Mission Australia’s Youth Survey reports—which present more of a focus on the last 12 to 18 months for the 18-25-year-old demographic.

The paper also outlines some recent research surrounding youth and political engagement. It focuses on debates over education and civics and what recent survey data reveals. The latter relies upon the national-level Australian Election Survey, as Victorian-scale research does not exist.

Finally, it reviews recent efforts by the Parliament of Victoria and the Australian government to consult with the youth sector.