Definition of Youth
The 2010 National Strategy for Young Australians defines youth in general as 12-24 years of age. Youth is also split into categories for certain measurements. For example, youth economic productivity is measured in two age groups: 15-19 and 20-24.
Marriageable Age
- Opposite Sex
- Same Sex
- Without parental consent
- with parental consent
- Male
- 18
- 16
- ++
Candidacy Age
- Lower House
- 18 Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union
- Upper House
- 18
Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union
Criminal Responsibility
(1995)
Situation of Young People
Literacy Rates
- -- Male (15-24) %
- -- Female (15-24) %
- Year: No data.
- Source: UNESCO
Net Enrolment Rate
Secondary School- 84.79%Male %
- 85.78% Female %
- Year: 2012
- Source: UNESCO
Situation of Young People
Tobacco Use
Consumed any smokeless or smoking tobacco product at least once 30 days prior to the survey.- -- Male (13-15) %
- -- Female (13-15) %
- Year: No data.
- Source: WHO
Policy & Legislation
The vision for the national youth strategy is that “all young people grow up safe, healthy, happy and resilient and to have the opportunities and skills they need to learn, work, engage in community life and influence decisions that affect them”. The Compact with Young Australians (2009) is a commitment from the Australian Government, together with state and territory governments, regarding education and skill training for youth under 25. It seeks to increase qualification and retention levels through initiatives such as the National Youth Participation Requirement, which requires that certain grades be completed as a precondition for obtaining government entitlements, such as the Youth Allowance or the Family Tax Benefit.
Public Institutions
(ministry, department or office) that is primarily responsible for youth?
Youth and Representation
Budget & Spending
- % of GDP
- % of gov. expenditure
Source: World Bank
Additional Background
[Y]oung people aged 12-24 represent one fifth of the Australian population. 28% of all households contain a young person. Indigenous people account for 3.6% of all 15-19 year olds and 2.8% of all young people aged 20-24. Almost one in every hundred is homeless. One in five Australian young people were born overseas – mostly Asia (6.6%) or Europe (2.6%). One in five speak a language other than English at home – mostly an Asian language (10%) or another European language (4%). Just over half of all Indigenous 15-19-year-olds are enrolled in education compared to 76% of non-Indigenous 15-19-year olds. In 2006, 44% of 15-19-year-olds and 69% of 20-24-year-olds were employed. Young women’s income was significantly less than young men’s. At 24 years, women have almost peaked in their earning capacity, while men’s earnings increase considerably as they get older. Almost a quarter of young people are either overweight or obese.