Policy Context

Governments recognise that vulnerable and disadvantaged young people require additional support to overcome barriers and achieve positive outcomes in health, housing, education and employment.  A key example is the Commonwealth Government’s National Strategy for Young Australians.  This strategy identifies eight priorities for supporting young people to succeed and build lives of their own.  It articulates the vision for young people to 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.  It reaffirms the commitment we all share to ensure that young people develop the confidence, resilience and skills they need to be involved and productive citizens. 

There are a number of government initiatives currently supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.  The National Partnership on Youth Attainment and Transitions (the National Partnership) commits Commonwealth, State and Territory governments to increase the educational engagement and attainment of young people and to improve their transition to post school education, training and employment. 

The Youth Connections program funded under the National Partnership aims to ensure young people at risk of not attaining Year 12 or an equivalent qualification get the support they need to remain engaged, or to re-engage in education or training and build resilience, skills and attributes that promote positive choices and wellbeing.  

In addition, Governments are also recognising that many young people leaving out of home care face additional barriers as a result of their care experience.  As an example, the ‘no exits into homelessness from statutory care’ initiative, under the White Paper on Homelessness, provides additional support to these young people, many of whom experience homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.