Australia’s welfare 2015
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4.5 O
pposite ends of the spectrum—participation of
young people in education and work
There is considerable policy interest in the engagement of young people in work and study—from
those who are fully engaged, to those who are completely disengaged.
Fully engaged in education or employment
Full engagement in education or employment is defined as participating in full-time education or
training leading to a recognised qualification or employment, or a combination of full-time and
part-time education or employment.
• In 2014, 80% of young people aged 15–24 were fully engaged in education and/or employment.
The proportion was higher for 15–19 year olds (87%) than for 20–24 year olds (74%), reflecting the
high proportion of 15–19 year olds attending secondary school full-time (Figure 4.5.1, Table S4.5.1)
(ABS 2005; AIHW analysis of ABS 2015).
• T he proportion of young people fully engaged was similar in 2014 (80%) to 2005 (82%) among
15–24 year olds; however, there was an increase in the proportion engaged in full-time study only
(from 25% to 31%) and a decrease in full-time work only (from 26% to 20%).
• S ome young people combine paid employment with secondary or tertiary study to support
themselves financially and to develop skills for long-term employment. In 2014, 29% of young
people aged 15–24 combined study and work compared with 30% in 2005.
(See Chapter 4 ‘Transitions to independence’ for further information on youth education and
employment.)
Per cent
100
90
Full-time study only
80
Full-time work only
70
60
Combining work and study
50
Part-time study only
40
30
Part-time work only
20
Not in study or work
10
0
2005
2014
2005
15–19 years
2014
20–24 years
Age group
Sources: ABS 2005; AIHW analysis of ABS 2015.
Figure 4.5.1: Participation in education and/or employment among young people
aged 15 to 24, by age group, 2005 and 2014
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Australia’s welfare 2015. Australia’s welfare series no. 12. Cat. no. AUS 189. Canberra: AIHW.
Australia’s welfare 2015
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Not in employment, education or training
Young people who are not in education, employment or training (often referred to as ‘NEET’) are
considered to be completely disengaged from work and study. This non-participation among young
people has been linked to future unemployment, lower incomes and employment insecurity (Pech
et al. 2009), placing young people at risk of social and economic disadvantage, and social exclusion.
• In 2014, 10% of 15–24 year olds (312,900 people) were not in employment, education or training
(NEET) (7% of 15–19 year olds and 13% of 20–24 year olds). This was the same proportion as in
2005 for 15–24 year olds overall (8% of 15–19 year olds and 12% of 20–24 year olds) (Figure 4.5.1)
(ABS 2005; AIHW analysis of ABS 2015).
• Internationally, in 2012, the proportion of Australian 15–19 year olds not in education or
employment was similar to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) average (7.2% compared with 7.5%), with Australia ranked 19th out of 32 OECD countries
with available data.
• A
mong 20–24 year olds, the Australian non-participation rate in 2012 (12%) was better than the
OECD average (18%), and ranked ninth out of 32 OECD countries with available data (OECD 2014).
(See Chapter 4 ‘Transitions to independence’ for a comparison of Australian and OECD average youth
unemployment rates.)
According to the 2011 Census, some groups of 15–24 year olds were over-represented in the NEET
group compared with their representation in the total youth population. These groups included:
• Indigenous youth (12% in the NEET group compared with 4% in the total youth population)
• youth who do not speak English well or at all (14% compared with 5%)
• y outh needing assistance with core activities (such as self-care, body movements or
communication) (6% compared with 2%)
• t hose living in Inner regional and outer regional areas (31% in NEET compared with 25% in the total
youth population) and Remote and very remote areas (5% in NEET, 2% in total youth population)
(AIHW analysis of the 2011 Census).
People who are not in employment are considered unemployed if they are looking for work.
Otherwise they are considered ‘not in the labour force’ (NILF). Data from the Longitudinal Surveys
of Australian Youth (LSAY) indicate that, in 2011, among those in the NEET group who were
unemployed, 80% were looking for full-time work while 20% were looking for part-time work.
Among those who were NILF, a high proportion of young women (71%) were undertaking home
duties and/or looking after children, whereas young men were most likely to be undertaking ‘other
(unspecified) activities’ (53%) or travelling or on holidays (24%) (Stanwick et al. 2013).
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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Australia’s welfare 2015. Australia’s welfare series no. 12. Cat. no. AUS 189. Canberra: AIHW.
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Other forms of participation
Young people may participate in activities other than employment and study. Social and community
participation may provide social and psychological benefits that contribute to health and wellbeing.
Volunteering can provide social contact and learning opportunities, and makes a valuable contribution
to community and welfare organisations. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2010
General Social Survey:
• m
ore than two-thirds (68%) of young people aged 18 to 24 were involved in one or more social or
community groups in the 12 months prior to being surveyed
• a round 1 in 4 young people aged 18 to 24 (27%) were involved in unpaid voluntary work in the
previous 12 months.
Many young people combine participation in these activities with study and employment; however,
some do not: around two-fifths (39%) of young people aged 18 to 24 who were not engaged in
study or employment (NEET) were involved in one or more social or community groups and an
estimated 12% were involved in unpaid voluntary work in 2010 (AIHW analysis of the ABS 2010
General Social Survey).
What is missing from the picture?
Regular and comprehensive data on the participation of young people in education and
employment are available from ABS Surveys of Education and Work, the Census and the LSAY.
International comparisons are also available.
Where do I go for more information?
More information on youth participation in education and employment is available at
www.aihw.gov.au/youth-health-and-wellbeing and from the ABS report Education and work.
References
ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) 2005. Education and work, Australia, May 2005. ABS cat. no.
6227.0. Canberra: ABS.
ABS 2015. Customised report from the 2014 Survey of Education and Work.
OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) 2014. Education at a glance.
Indicator C5: transition from school to work: where are the 15–29 year-olds? Paris: OECD.
Pech J, McNevin A & Nelms L 2009. Young people with poor labour force attachment: a survey
of concepts, data and previous research. Research report no. 11/09. Canberra: Australian Fair Pay
Commission.
Stanwick J, Lu T, Karmel T & Wibrow B 2013. How young people are faring 2013: the national report
on the learning and earning of young Australians. Melbourne: Foundation for Young Australians.
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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Australia’s welfare 2015. Australia’s welfare series no. 12. Cat. no. AUS 189. Canberra: AIHW.