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COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery: Young People's Perspectives

Many young people feel the disruptions caused by the pandemic which occurred at a crucial time in their development. This report produced by Youth Action alongside young people and the youth sector, presents a range of recommendations on what is needed for NSW to adequately support the recovery of young people.

Strengthening social capital is key to the successful rebuilding of the economy and society post COVID, especially if we are to establish the conditions for young people to thrive and reach their full potential. Our state and our nation will need targeted investment to increase engagement and participation of young people, through supports and services in areas such as mental health, education, employment, through care for those in contact with law, justice, and child protection systems, and the expansion of youth specific services. Young people need to be actively involved in the design, implementation, and monitoring of these programs and services to ensure their effectiveness.

Youth Action’s COVID-19 Recovery Report draws on what we heard during our consultations throughout 2020 and 2021. Young people and the sector’s lived experiences of dealing with the impacts of COVID-19 strongly influenced their thoughts, ideas and recommendations about what is needed for society to recover.

Download the Report

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Get involved 

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Join in to collectively raise awareness about the report findings and recommendations. Below are ways you can support us.

1. Include the following in your next email newsletter

Many young people feel the disruptions caused by the pandemic which occurred at a crucial time in their development. Youth Action has launched a new report that was produced alongside young people and the youth sector, presenting a range of recommendations on what is needed for NSW to adequately support the recovery of young people. Click here to access the report and raise awareness.

 

2. Post on your social media

Download the social slides 1, 2 & 3

3. Like and share our social posts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthactionnsw/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youthactionnsw

Twitter: https://twitter.com/youthactionnsw

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/youth-action-nsw

Calling for a Strong Commitment to Young People - National Youth Plan

Youth Action together with the other state and territory youth peaks are calling on all parties and independents to commit to a National Youth Plan ahead of the 2022 federal election. The plan drives action on key priorities identified by young people and will embed their voices and lived experience in government decision-making, calling for action on matters such as climate change, disaster resilience and recovery, employment, education, housing security, mental health and access and inclusion. It is also seeks support for other campaigns that impact young people such as seeking core funding for the national youth peak Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC), Raise the Rate and an Inquiry into Intergenerational Fairness.

The Federal Government should partner with Australia’s young people and the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) to establish the National Youth Plan, so that it is relevant to, and addresses the needs and priorities of, all young people, especially those who face marginalisation.

 

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Download the plan

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Youth Employment Report

The new Bearing the Brunt report by The Australia Institute, commissioned by Youth Action found that Young people make up 14% of the workforce but 39% of job losses during the pandemic lockdowns. Western Sydney and regional NSW being the hardest hit areas in NSW. Young people deserve a fair chance to access stable jobs.

Use the following links to access the reports

Download the NSW Report - Bearing the Brunt.

Download the Federal Report - Youth Unemployment and the Pandemic.

Download the Employment Consultations with Young People Report.

Visit The Australia Institute report webpages for the Youth Unemployment and the Pandemic, and Bearing the Brunt.

Get involved

Join in to collectively raise awareness about the report findings and recommendations. Below are ways you can support us.

1. Include the following in your next email newsletter

Youth Action and The Australia Institute have launched new a report on youth employment, ‘Bearing the Brunt’. One of the major findings is that young people have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, making up 14% of the workforce but 39% of the job losses during the lockdowns. Click here to access the report and help raise awareness.

2. Like and share our social posts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthactionnsw/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youthactionnsw

Twitter: https://twitter.com/youthactionnsw

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/youth-action-nsw

3. Post on your social media

Download the social media image.

Choose a post below or write your own:

• Young people consistently bear the brunt of economic downturns. While the unemployment rate is low, youth unemployment remains double that of the rest of the population. Young people deserve a fair chance to access stable jobs. More bit.ly/youthjobs2022 #NoMoreBearingTheBrunt
• Young people make up 14% of the workforce but 39% of job losses during the pandemic lockdowns. Western Sydney and regional NSW being the hardest hit areas in NSW. Young people deserve a fair chance to access stable jobs. More at bit.ly/youthjobs2022 #NoMoreBearingTheBrunt
• Over half of all young people employed are in casual or gig jobs and have no access to leave and entitlements. This is less than 1 in 5 for the rest of the population. Young people deserve a fair chance to access stable jobs. More at bit.ly/youthjobs2022 #NoMoreBearingTheBrunt

Background

Young people, Youth Action Member organisations, and the Youth Sector have been clear about the importance of youth employment. This was a consistent theme throughout the ongoing consultations we held with young people before and during the pandemic.

In a unique partnership between Youth Action, The Australia Institute, and most importantly, young people from diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences from across NSW, a report focused on youth employment, ‘Bearing the Brunt’ has been produced. The report combines qualitative research with the voices of young people across NSW, whose lived experience is at the heart of the report.

We heard from hundreds of young people across several consultations with young people, including young people from regional areas, First Nations, LGBTIQA+, with disability, from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, including migrants and refugees, and those doing-it-tough.

Amongst many things, the report found that young people have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, making up 14% of the workforce but 39% of the job losses during lockdowns. Young workers are highly represented in casual work and the hardest hit industries like retail and hospitality of which the COVID-19 restrictions disproportionately impacted.

To ensure the report’s recommendations reflect the Youth Sector’s solutions, we held a roundtable with a cross-section of representatives from Government and Non-Government Organisations and young people for feedback on the recommendations.

This report is the first step of a long process of further and ongoing collaboration towards better outcomes for young people, and we look forward to continuing to work together to that end.

Media

For media enquiries please contact us on 0455 776 393, or [email protected]

Youth Action welcomes this opportunity to make this submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Road Safety’s inquiry into support for rural and regional learner drivers. This is an area of importance to young people and the youth sector in New South Wales, which significantly impacts day-to-day life. The state's geography and public transport

infrastructure make private transport via car a necessity for many young people in rural, regional and some outer-metropolitan areas.

Download the Submission

Young People and BNPL: An NCOSS 'Cost of Living in NSW' Report

New research conducted by NCOSS and Youth Action into Buy Now Pay Later products highlights the fact that young people predominantly use these products responsibly and that they see them as a legitimate way for those on low incomes to manage the increasing cost of living. It does however also draw attention to the precarious financial situation for many young people and how a sudden reduction in income can quickly lead to a young person finding themselves in a difficult debt situation. Young people tell us that they want more opportunities for financial literacy education. This report shows that this kind of education could be particularly beneficial to younger ages or those in vulnerable financial situations.

Download the Report

Young Renters: We hear you!

Key findings from the young renter survey and roundtables.
A report by the Tenants’ Union of NSW and
Youth Action.

Download the Report

Youth Action welcomes this opportunity to make a submission to the Select Committee on Job Security Inquiry. We are calling on the government to mitigate the impact of insecure and precarious employment upon young people. While young people see opportunity within the tech-driven on-demand and gig economies, they also expect job opportunities that are reliable and provide decent working conditions. Security is increasingly important as Australia recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Young people's voices and lived experience should be central to government approaches to job security and young people are eager to participate in decision-making processes impacting them. Youth Action encourages the government to consult young people in an ongoing and meaningful manner on these issues.

Download the Submission

Youth Action welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to the Joint Select Committee on Coercive Control for their inquiry into coercive control in domestic relationships. Youth Action refers the Committee to the submissions of Women’s Safety NSW and Domestic Violence NSW, whom we support, regarding the introduction of a Coercive Control offence here in NSW. In making recommendations for change on behalf of young people, Youth Action’s submission focuses upon young people’s experience of Coercive Control and the non-legislative responses which should occur prior to, oralongside, the creation of a Coercive Control offence.

Download the Submission

Youth Action welcomes the invitation to provide a submission to the inquiry into the child protection and social services system (the System). We have welcomed the changes made as a result of various government’s increased focus on evidence based and trauma informed approaches to marginalised young people at risk of, or in contact with the System. However, too many young people still find themselves at a disadvantage.  

There are continued calls for greater participation of young people in policy development and service provision. This is despite many reports, inquiries and commissions into the failings of the System recommending significant, system level changes.  Youth Action is advocating for a NSW where every young person is valued, engaged and supported. The cornerstone of this objective is improving the decision-making processes in NSW through utilising the diverse range of expertise of both young people and the youth sector as experts in their own lives. 

Download the Submission

Youth Action welcomes the invitation to make a submission to the Inquiry into Assaults on Members of the NSW Police Force by the Committee on Law and Safety. NSW Police play an integral role in community safety and have the right to conduct their work without fear of violence. While the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research indicates instances of police assault from young people is low, we believe this inquiry has the potential to strengthen police practices and programs to support positive relations with young people and limit any potential violent behaviour.

Download the Submission