Young Victorians aged 15-19 are encouraged to have their say in Mission Australia’s the 23rd annual Youth Survey.
The Youth Survey is an opportunity for young people to share what they view as the key issues impacting the country and highlight their own personal challenges.
In 2023, more than 6,000 young people in Victoria completed the survey, naming the environment (51%), equity and discrimination (33%), and the economy and financial matters (31 per cent) as the issues they believe are most important in Australia.
A quarter of Victorian respondents (25 per cent) said they were treated unfairly or discriminated against in the last year, most commonly due to their race/cultural background, physical appearance, and gender.
Mission Australia’s Nada Nasser said the survey provides a rare insight into the challenges facing young people.
“At Mission Australia, we work hard to support young people through what can be a tough time in their lives,” she said.
“We know young people thrive when they have a stable and safe environment in which they can be themselves, and our programs aim to be a welcoming space for all,” Ms Nasser added.
Results of the survey will be published in November and are shared with government and non-government organisations, schools and the public.
The survey focuses on a wide range of topics, including questions on mental health and wellbeing, sources of support and community connections, housing and financial situation, climate change, and personal concerns such as body image, bullying, discrimination and stress. Young people are also asked to provide solutions to the personal issues they face.
Additional focus areas for 2024 are social media use, loneliness and opinions relating to alcohol and drugs.
Youth Survey 2024 is open from April to August and takes 20 minutes to complete.
The survey can be accessed at: www.missionaustralia.com.au/youthsurvey
