This report analyses the priorities and perspectives of young Australians aged 14 to 25.  Cost of living is the most pressing issue for young Australians, with more than half citing it as one of the biggest challenges facing the country. The report also found significant concern around mental health and growing frustration with the higher education system, including the current HECS-HELP structure and the Job-ready Graduates Package. 

There was a slight decline in climate change concerns but three-quarters of young Australians still want environmental protection priorities over economic growth and 86% of 18 to 24-year-olds said climate change was a key voting issue. The report highlights young Australians’ growing disengagement from politics, but finds they are leading the way in tackling social issues such as discrimination and racism.

The report makes recommendations across the following areas:

• reflecting young people’s values in policy e.g. youth-directed research; engaging young people in governance and decision-making; and improving engagement by political parties
• mental health and wellbeing e.g. addressing the decline in young people's mental health; developing safe online spaces; and community education to tackle discrimination
• education and employment e.g. reforming HECS-HELP to ensure equitable higher education access; and redesigning the Job-Ready Graduate Program to align course fees with workforce needs and future earnings
• cost of living e.g. targeted relief for young Australians; bold action to address intergenerational inequities in housing; and increasing income support
• young lives in a climate crisis e.g. actively engaging young people in climate policy; and involving young people in climate disaster recovery to strengthen resilience.