The Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN) submission to the 2025–26 Federal Budget advocates for targeted support for young people aged 12 to 25 from refugee and migrant backgrounds. It calls for sustained investment in youth-specific settlement services, culturally responsive mental health care, and financial measures to address the cost-of-living crisis. MYAN emphasises that these young people face unique challenges—including language barriers, systemic discrimination, and limited access to education and employment—which require dedicated policies and funding.
The submission urges the government to implement recommendations from the Multicultural Framework Review and prioritise youth co-design in policymaking. It also recommends lifting Youth Allowance and Austudy rates to at least $82 a day, aligning them with the Age Pension, and broadening eligibility criteria. To ensure equitable education and job outcomes, MYAN advocates for changes to student classifications, expanded access to financial aid and Free TAFE, as well as the recognition of overseas qualifications and investment in job training and apprenticeships.
MYAN positions these reforms as essential for both individual wellbeing and national prosperity. Strategic investment in multicultural youth will enhance social cohesion, reduce long-term welfare dependency, and unlock the economic potential of a diverse young population. The submission calls for a forward-thinking budget that reflects a commitment to inclusion, equity, and sustainable development.
