What Young Australians Are Talking About Most Right Now

Every year, thousands of young Australians share their experiences, concerns and hopes through the Mission Australia Youth Survey, Australia’s largest annual survey of young people aged 14 to 19.

In 2025, more than 17,000 young people participated, providing a snapshot of the issues affecting their lives today. The findings reveal a generation navigating financial pressures, mental health challenges and uncertainty about the future, while remaining hopeful about what lies ahead.

The 2026 Mission Australia Youth Survey is now open. If you’re aged 14 to 19, taking part is an opportunity to share your experiences and help shape the conversation around the issues affecting young Australians.

For the third consecutive year, cost of living was identified as the most important issue facing Australia today, with 64% of respondents selecting it as a major concern.

Concern about the cost of living has doubled over the past two years and reached the highest level recorded for any issue since the survey began asking this question in 2010.

While inflation has eased compared with previous years, many young people continue to feel the effects of rising household expenses. Housing costs, transport, utilities, education expenses and everyday essentials remain significant concerns for many families.

Recent reporting comparing grocery prices between 2022 and 2026 found that while some fresh produce prices have fallen, many household expenses continue to place pressure on family budgets. At the same time, higher housing costs, insurance premiums, utility bills and interest rates continue to affect disposable income for many Australians.

The survey found that 19% of young people agreed that their family is often stressed about money, highlighting how financial pressures continue to influence daily life and future planning.

Mental health ranked as the second most important issue facing Australia, with 29% of young people identifying it as a major national concern.

The survey also found that mental health and wellbeing were among the most common sources of personal stress. Nearly four in ten young people reported stress related to their mental health, while 19% scored in the high psychological distress range.

Mental health challenges can affect many aspects of life, including education, relationships, confidence and future planning. For some young people, mental health concerns may also occur alongside challenges such as substance use, family difficulties or social isolation.

For young people experiencing alcohol or other drug-related challenges, access to specialised support can be an important part of recovery. Sir David Martin Foundation is a major funder of Mission Australia’s Triple Care Farm, which provides youth-focused treatment, rehabilitation and recovery support for young people affected by substance use and related challenges.

 Additional information and guidance can be found through our youth recovery resources.

Climate change and the environment ranked third among the issues young Australians consider most important, with 27% identifying it as a major national concern.

Many young people are growing up in a world increasingly shaped by conversations around extreme weather events, environmental sustainability and the long-term impacts of climate change. As they think about future careers, housing, education and family life, environmental concerns remain closely connected to how they view the future.

The continued prominence of climate change in the survey demonstrates that many young Australians are looking beyond immediate challenges and considering the world they will inherit.

Housing and homelessness was identified as a major concern by 25% of respondents.

For many young people, the prospect of renting or owning a home feels increasingly difficult. Rising property prices, limited housing availability and broader cost of living pressures have created uncertainty around future housing security and financial independence.

For many young people, the prospect of renting or owning a home feels increasingly difficult. Rising property prices, limited housing availability and broader cost of living pressures have contributed to growing concern about housing affordability and future housing security.

While national issues attract significant attention, the survey also explored the challenges young people face in their everyday lives.

According to the survey, school or study problems were the most commonly reported source of stress in the past year.

Young people are often balancing study, social relationships, part-time work, extracurricular activities and family responsibilities while also making important decisions about their future.

Although 62% of respondents agreed they like their school, school and study pressures continue to be one of the most common causes of stress for young Australians.

While the survey highlights significant concerns, it also reveals a strong sense of optimism.

Employment and career goals were the most common hopes for the future, followed by family relationships and financial stability.

These findings align with ReachOut’s research into how stress about the future impacts young people’s mental health, which found that 75% of young people surveyed felt worried or stressed about the future, while 83% said those concerns had a moderate to major impact on their mental health.

Young people reported concerns about employment opportunities, financial security and uncertainty about what lies ahead. However, they were also clear about what would help them navigate these challenges. Many identified the importance of having someone they trust to talk to, knowing where to access support, receiving reliable information and having access to mental health professionals when needed.

The findings suggest that while many young Australians are facing genuine pressures, they remain focused on building meaningful careers, strong relationships and positive futures.

The Mission Australia Youth Survey is now open for 2026, celebrating 25 years of giving young Australians a platform to share their experiences and perspectives.

By participating in the 2026 Youth Survey, young people can help build a clearer picture of the issues affecting their generation and contribute to research, advocacy and policy discussions that help shape future support services.

Schools, youth organisations, community groups and local councils can also get involved by encouraging participation and helping more young people have their voices heard.

Every response helps improve understanding of the challenges young Australians face today and the opportunities they hope to see tomorrow.