Youth survey reveals environment, equity, economy concerns

THE environment, equity and discrimination and the economy and financial matters are the most important issues to young Victorians today, according to those who took part in Australia’s largest youth survey.

More than 6,000 Victorians aged 15-19 completed the Mission Australia 2023 Youth Survey, with their responses providing important insights into the concerns of Australia’s young people.

Released last month, this year’s survey revealed the environment (51 per cent) was the issue young Victorians considered most important in Australia, with nearly a quarter of respondents (23 per cent) personally saying they are extremely or very concerned about climate change.

After the environment, young Victorians said equity and discrimination (33 per cent) and the economy and financial matters (31 per cent) were the next most important issues.

“Young people are dealing with a range of pressures in their everyday lives, including schooling, mental health, and relationships,” Mission Australia Victorian state director Nada Nasser said.

The challenges they face can be exacerbated when young people aren’t able to access support in their communities.

“On top of these everyday challenges, the survey responses show that young people are thinking about the future of the planet and the impact climate change is having.

“They’re seeing temperature records being broken and are living through extreme weather events. It’s clear they want Australia to do more on this issue,” Ms Nasser said.

Young people in Victoria are also concerned about equity and discrimination, with a quarter of respondents (25 per cent) saying they were treated unfairly or discriminated against in the last year, most commonly due to their race/cultural background, physical appearance, and gender.

“At Mission Australia, we know that young people perform best when they have a supportive and stable environment in which they can thrive,” Ms Nasser said.

“Our programs can offer young people a safe space to express themselves.”

Nationally, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people continue to rate their wellbeing lower than their non-Indigenous peers across a range of measures, and a greater proportion reported they were subject to unfair treatment or discrimination.

“The survey responses show we must continue to work with and listen to Indigenous communities to close the gap and promote reconciliation and self-determination. This is work that Mission Australia is committed to.”

The 22nd annual Youth Survey was conducted between April and August, with results shared with schools, governments and key policy makers across the country.

For the full results, head to missionaustralia.com.au/content/item/631-mission-australia