Over the past ten years, youth unemployment rates have remained high in Australia and in comparison with rates internationally. This report examines the prevalence of youth unemployment for teenagers (15-19 year olds) and young adults (20-24 year olds). It identifies those youth at greatest risk of unemployment and the individual and societal costs that result from unemployment among this group. The report also examines government policies and programs designed to address youth unemployment, exploring mutual obligation in some detail. Best practice criteria are identified and six...  [+] Show more

Over the past ten years, youth unemployment rates have remained high in Australia and in comparison with rates internationally. This report examines the prevalence of youth unemployment for teenagers (15-19 year olds) and young adults (20-24 year olds). It identifies those youth at greatest risk of unemployment and the individual and societal costs that result from unemployment among this group. The report also examines government policies and programs designed to address youth unemployment, exploring mutual obligation in some detail. Best practice criteria are identified and six organisations offering programs dealing with youth unemployment are benchmarked against these criteria.