MYAN calls on the Government to put young people at the centre of future considerations.
Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network Australia (MYAN) Australia’s peak body representing young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, has reviewed the 2025 Australian Federal Budget, highlighting its implications for multicultural youth across the nation. The federal budget, unveiled on 25th March 2025 outlines significant allocations and policy directions that will impact the lives of young people from diverse cultural backgrounds. For many young people, budget night is a pivotal moment—a time to scrutinise, to question, and to understand how the decisions made at the highest level will impact their lives directly.
MYAN is encouraged to see measures that support young people, including the Australian Government’s significant increase in education funding, including more fee-free TAFE places alongside a sustained focus on health services, including youth mental health. While we welcome measures addressing cost of living pressures, with cuts to HECS-HELP debts, energy bill relief and an increase to rent assistance, young people need more social housing, affordable rent and an increase in youth allowance.
For multicultural communities, the budget provides some support, but comprehensive programs are essential to address the unique challenges faced by multicultural young people, including language barriers, racism, and employment opportunities. We also acknowledge the continued support provided for refugee settlement services, which is vital for aiding those seeking safety and a new beginning in Australia.
“We call on the Government to put young people at the centre of future considerations. It is about shaping a stronger, fairer Australian community, inclusive of those who feel left out.” – Carmel Guerra OAM, Chair, MYAN Australia
“The 2025-2026 federal budget is a step forward, but it’s time to go further—together. Let’s not just react to the issues; let’s listen to our communities and work hand in hand to build a future that’s proactive, not just reactive. We need to address climate change with urgency, raise the minimum wage so everyone has a fair chance, and ensure that the wealthiest contribute their fair share. It’s about creating an economy that lifts up young people and fosters safety, equality, and opportunity for all. This is a call to collaborate, to listen, and to act with vision—because the future belongs to all of us. “ – Nayonika, MYAN Australia Youth Advisor
We acknowledge the complex environment in which this budget was delivered, both global and domestic. Overall, while the budget offers some positive measures for multicultural young people, targeted initiatives are crucial for improving economic stability and social inclusion. For young people to truly thrive, it is essential that governments shift their focus towards long-term investments that enhance their future.
“This budget reminds us that investing in multicultural youth isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a national opportunity. We need bold, long-term policies that match their potential with real support.” – Rana Ebrahimi, National Manager, MYAN Australia
We particularly welcome the investments in:
Settlement Initiatives
Economic Pathways to Refugee Integration (EPRI)
The Government has committed $7.7 million in 2025–26 to extend the EPRI programme, which aims to improve employment opportunities for refugees and support their economic integration. This initiative is crucial in facilitating the successful settlement of refugees, ensuring they contribute positively to the Australian economy.
Community Refugee Integration and Settlement (CRISP)
An allocation of $3.5 million over three years from 2026–27, with ongoing funding of $1.2 million annually, will provide robust post-arrival support for refugees. This funding ensures their smooth transition into the community, promoting long-term settlement success.
Social Cohesion and Multicultural Amenities
The Government’s significant investment of $178.4 million over five years from 2024–25 aims to enhance social cohesion. This includes targeted grants such as $20 million over four years from 2025–26 for African Australian communities to build organisational capacity. Additionally, $2.5 million over three years from 2024–25 will support community organisations in delivering multicultural amenities and fostering intercultural connections.
Cost-of-living initiatives
Personal Income Tax Cuts: The budget introduces tax cuts primarily benefiting middle-income earners, which are expected to provide some financial relief to young people.
Energy Bill Assistance: The budget includes provisions for energy bill relief with a $150 rebate for households and small businesses.
Education Initiatives
Universal Early Childhood Education
A transformative investment of $5 billion will establish a universal early childhood education system, comprising:
- $3.6 billion to increase wages for early educators.
- $1 billion for the Building Early Education Fund, focusing on infrastructure and resources.
- $426.6 million for a new 3-Day Guarantee of subsidised childcare, ensuring broader access for families.
Better and Fairer Schools Agreement
With $407.5 million over four years from 2025–26, this initiative aims to bring every public school up to full funding standards. It includes reforms such as explicit teaching and phonics checks, providing individualised support, and increasing mental health resources in schools.
Higher Education and Free TAFE
- The Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) will see a reduction of approximately $19 billion in student debts, benefiting over three million Australians, saving the average debtor approximately $5,400.
- Free TAFE will offer 100,000 places annually from January 2027, reducing costs for students and supporting secure employment opportunities in high-demand sectors.
Health and Wellbeing
Digital Mental Health Services
An additional $46 million will continue digital mental health services tailored for children, young people, gender-diverse individuals, First Nations Australians, and culturally diverse communities, ensuring accessible mental health support.
Health in My Language Programme
A $5.4 million funding continues to support migrant and refugee women in accessing culturally safe health services, addressing healthcare disparities.
Medicare and Healthcare Access
We support increased funding for bulk billing incentives designed to make healthcare more affordable. The Government’s $8.5 billion investment in Medicare will enhance bulk billing and increase rebates for diagnostic services, benefiting multicultural young people who are facing financial barriers to healthcare access.
Support for Family, Domestic, and Sexual Violence
Emergency Accommodation and Support Services
With $2.5 million allocated in 2025–26 for emergency accommodation, this initiative provides crucial support for women and children experiencing violence. An additional $0.2 million is dedicated to complex case management.
National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children
The ongoing investment is over $4 billion, aimed at strengthening justice responses and extending trauma-informed support services nationwide.
Housing Initiatives
“Help to Buy” Scheme
The introduction of the “Help to Buy” scheme aims to make home ownership more accessible for younger generations, however, we see several missed opportunities to address social cohesion and intergenerational inequity.
Combatting Racism and Discrimination
A robust approach to combatting racism and discrimination is essential to fostering an inclusive society where everyone feels valued and respected. We are concerned about the lack of investment in comprehensive initiatives aimed at tackling these issues. It is vital for the government to invest in programs that actively address racial, cultural, and economic disparities.
Income Support
Raising income support above the poverty line is essential to address the cost-of-living crisis, which is creating a cycle of financial instability and hardship. We are deeply concerned that Youth Allowance and Austudy payments were not adjusted and the impact this has on the ability of young people, including young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds to meet the costs of basic necessities like food and toiletries, utilities, rent and the costs associated with looking for work.
Investment in Social Housing
The ongoing housing crisis continues to disproportionately affect young people, particularly those from multicultural and low-income backgrounds. We are concerned about the lack of significant investment in social housing, which is crucial for providing stable and affordable living conditions.
Climate Change Action
Climate change poses one of the greatest threats to future generations, and the absence of substantial funding and initiatives to address this crisis is alarming. Young people are increasingly aware of the environmental challenges ahead and demand action to safeguard their future. Investing in young people is the very foundation of our country’s future. MYAN urges the government to engage in ongoing dialogue and collaborative approaches with multicultural youth and their communities to ensure that the needs and voices of young people are heard and addressed in strategic policy decisions.
For further information and to arrange interviews, please contact Rana Ebrahimi, MYAN National Manager at rana@myan.org.au.
About MYAN Australia:
MYAN is the Australian peak body representing the rights and interests of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Our mission is to advocate for equitable opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in society, ensuring their voices are heard in the matters that affect them.
MYAN remains committed to working with the Australian Government and other stakeholders to ensure that young people, particularly those from refugee and migrant backgrounds, have access to the opportunities and support they need to thrive in a truly inclusive Australia.
### END ###