This pre-budget submission from the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network Australia (MYAN) urges the Australian government to prioritise young people, particularly those from refugee and migrant backgrounds, in the 2021-22 budget. MYAN argues that responding to the needs of young people is crucial for Australia’s economic and social recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. The submission highlights that young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, who comprise nearly half of Australia’s youth population, face disproportionate challenges exacerbated by the pandemic.
The submission calls for targeted investment in several key areas: employment and income support, mental health, education, digital access, and social cohesion. MYAN proposes specific recommendations in each of these areas, including developing a National Youth Employment Strategy, increasing mental health support for culturally diverse youth, addressing the digital divide, and implementing a National Anti-Racism Strategy. Additionally, the organisation presents two project proposals: a CALD Youth Mental Health Traineeship pilot and an initiative to strengthen state and territory responses to support young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
