The new work reality

By analysing the individual journeys of 14,000 young people over ten years (from when they are 15 years old to when they turn 25) using data from the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Youth (LSAY) this report sheds light on new transitions to work and demonstrates that the changing nature of work is already impacting on young Australians. The report reveals that young Australians face a number of significant barriers when seeking full-time work. When we removed common activities that young people do, such as gap years and returning for further education to look more deeply at the period, we found it took on average 2.6 years to transition from leaving education to full-time work. The reality is while nearly 60 per cent of young Australians aged 25 hold a post-school qualification, 50 per cent of them are unable to secure more than 35 hours of work per week., Through comparing the journeys of young people who have secured full-time work compared to those who haven’t, the report identifies four factors that can accelerate the transition from full-time education to full-time work. These are: (1) an education that builds enterprise skills; (2) being able to undertake relevant paid work experience; (3) finding employment in a sector which is growing; and (4) an optimistic mindset. The report concludes that, more than ever before, young people need access to relevant, high-quality education and learning systems that reflect and respond to their changing and diverse needs, and those of the economy.