One in 20 young people and their families in Victoria could not afford bills or car expenses in the past year.
And a similar proportion (5.5 per cent) sought financial help from family, friends or charity in the same period.
This is just one of the findings of Mission Australia’s Youth Survey Report 2022, which collated the responses of 5097 young people in Victoria
Mission Australia state director Nada Nasser said in the past year, nearly one in 10 young people in Victoria were worried about having a safe place to stay and more than seven per cent spent time away from home because they felt they could not return.
“Building enough new social and affordable homes and adequately increasing income supports like JobSeeker and Youth Allowance would go a long way to help families and their children to afford life’s essentials and a safe and secure home,” Ms Nasser said.
The environment (54.0 per cent), equity and discrimination (36.3 per cent) and mental health (34.4 per cent) topped the issues young people in Victoria want Australia to address.
Not only was the environment one of the most important issues in Australia according to more than half of Victorian respondents — more than one-quarter were also extremely or very concerned about climate change.
Ms Nasser said the looming threat of climate change and the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters was clearly hurting Australia’s young people.
“They want more action,” she said.
“Encouragingly, most Victorian respondents (87.6 per cent) were studying full-time and half (52.2 per cent) were employed.
“(More than) half (53.6 per cent) felt in control of their lives.
“Mission Australia’s Youth Survey 2022 shows there is much to celebrate about young people’s experiences and many are faring well.
“But more must be done to ensure young people are properly supported as they transition to adulthood.
”Young people have the answers. We must listen, ensure young people are included in decision-making processes, and act now so they can access the opportunities and supports they need to thrive.”