Introduction: The Brotherhood of St Laurence has launched a campaign to bring attention to the rising crisis of youth unemployment in Australia.

Youth unemployment has risen across the country, and now sits at 12.2% nationally. That’s up from 8.8% in 2008.

But much worse – there are youth unemployment hotspots right across the country where we’ve entered a disaster zone.

According to new ABS data (released on Thursday 20 February 2014), youth unemployment in the year to January 2014 hit:

• 21% in West and North West Tasmania, including Burnie and Devonport
• 20.5% in Cairns
• 19.7% in northern Adelaide, including Elizabeth and Gawler
• 17.5% in Hume (Victoria), including Goulburn Valley, Wodonga and Wangaratta
• 17.3% in Mandurah (WA)
• 16.8% in Parramatta (NSW)