Australia’s young people face ‘serious anxiety and stress’ over cost of living, HECS debts
“The Job-Ready Graduates package, which determines course fees based on predicted workforce demand, is flawed and is creating a generational divide.
“Our analysis finds no real link between course costs and future employment outcomes, meaning students are being penalised for choosing courses that may actually be vital to Australia’s future workforce needs.”
But the report showed cost of living had become the most pressing issue for young people, especially when it came to affording the essentials including housing.
And, despite a slight decline in importance compared to the cost of living crisis, the report found young Australians remained committed to environmental action and worried about human impact on the planet.
Three-quarters wanted environmental protection prioritised over economic growth and 86 per cent saw climate change as a key voting issue.
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However, the report also highlighted young Australians’ growing disengagement from politics, with just one in eight expressing trust in the political process.
Dockery said young people want real action, not just promises.
“The upcoming Federal election will be a critical moment to re-engage younger voters,” he said.
“If political leaders fail to address their concerns – on cost of living, education, mental health and climate action – they risk further alienating an entire generation.”
Mavisakalyan said young people were engaging in political issues at the same rate as always, but that their distrust in the government was growing.
“This shows there is a real disconnect and that the government is not addressing the concerns young people are expressing,” she said.
Report key findings and recommendations
Reflecting young people’s values in policy:
- Conduct regular youth-directed research, polling and civic initiatives to inform policy, services and funding.
- Engage young Australians in governance and decision-making processes to ensure their voices are heard.
- Political parties must improve engagement with young voters or risk losing connection with a key constituency.
Mental health and wellbeing:
- Reform HECS-HELP to ensure equitable access to higher education without financial hardship.
- Redesign the Job-ready Graduate Program so that course fees align with workforce needs and future earnings.
- Improve education equity, particularly for disadvantaged youth, through targeted scholarships and policies.
- Address unstable employment among young workers by encouraging secure, rewarding employment conditions and expanding traineeships.
Cost of living:
- Provide targeted cost-of-living relief for young Australians struggling with essential expenses.
- Review economic policies to ensure fair and effective interventions beyond reliance on RBA monetary policy.
- Take bold action to address intergenerational inequities in housing and improve homeownership rates.
- Increase income support and introduce a national program to end child poverty.
Young lives in a climate crisis:
- Actively engage young Australians in climate policy, recognising their leadership in driving solutions.
- Support Australian youth in international climate forums and regional initiatives.
- Involve young people in recovery efforts from climate-related disasters to strengthen resilience and sustainability.
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