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<\/a><\/p>\nIn 2025, more than 4,000 NSW young people completed the survey, naming cost of living (66 percent), mental health (31 percent), climate change and the environment (25 percent), and housing and homelessness (23 percent), as the most important issues in Australia today.<\/p>\n
Mission Australia State Director NSW and ACT Di Kapera said the Youth Survey is a unique opportunity to understand what young people across the state are going through.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been doing the Youth Survey for 25 years now, and it continues to give us valuable data on a group whose perspectives are often missing or ignored,\u201d Ms Kapera said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2025, for the second year in a row, cost of living was the number one issue of concern for NSW respondents.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung people told us that the high cost of housing and everyday essentials was impacting them and their families.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe expect that this year\u2019s survey will once again reflect the fact that many families around the country are doing it tough.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re struggling to find affordable housing, pay the bills and put food on the table, with many parents making sacrifices so their children don\u2019t miss out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Results of the survey will be published in November and are shared with government, non-government organisations, local councils, schools and the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cData from the survey is utilised by a variety of organisations, educators and government stakeholders to inform policies, research and the creation of programs and services that assist young people,\u201d Ms Kapera said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe aim to get responses that span a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and locations so that the survey reflects the diversity of our state.\u201d<\/p>\n
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, study and work.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s survey will include some new areas of focus, including questions on the teen social media ban, the changes to their neighbourhoods that would impact young people\u2019s lives, and barriers to participating in community events.<\/p>\n
Youth Survey 2026 is open from March 19 to August 14 and takes about 20 minutes to complete.<\/p>\n
Respondents can complete the survey online, either through arrangements with participating schools or groups or individually through Mission Australia\u2019s website.<\/p>\n