*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* 

Intergenerational Fairness – A Start, More to Do 

Melbourne, 14 May 2026 

The Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network Australia (MYAN), Australia’s peak body for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, has reviewed the 2026 Federal Budget.  

Budgets are powerful policy statements. They signal national priorities and shape the lived experiences of millions of Australians. 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, more targeted initiatives are crucial for improving economic stability and social inclusion. 

While MYAN acknowledges some positive steps in the 2026 Federal Budget, such as reforms in skills recognition, social cohesion initiatives, and housing reform, young people also need immediate relief. The reality for many multicultural young people involves struggling with rent, bills, and the constant strain of economic uncertainty. The absence of evidence-based policies to deliver immediate relief requires significant consideration. 

MYAN urges the government to deliver immediate, tangible support to multicultural young people experiencing economic pressure today and to take specific actions to further reflect its commitment to intergenerational fairness. 

Housing & Cost of Living 

• Tax Reform: Reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions are a welcome structural step, projected to support 75,000 Australians into homeownership over the next decade. 

• Youth Housing Support: $60 million for community housing providers supporting young people on Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY is a meaningful investment in housing stability for young people at risk of homelessness. 

• Cost of Living: The $250 tax offset, equivalent to $4.80 per week, will not reach young people until 2028. More timely relief measures are needed to support those under pressure today. 

MYAN calls on the government to immediately and substantially increase Commonwealth Rent Assistance and income support for young people, and to invest in social housing in high-need areas, ensuring these measures are implemented and accessible. 

“Young people aren’t a monolith. For many multicultural, migrant, and refugee young people, housing stress isn’t abstract. It impacts study, work, family responsibilities, safety, wellbeing, and belonging,” said Adam, MYAN’s Youth Council representative from Regional NSW. “If the government changes housing investor tax concessions in the name of young people, the benefits must flow back to housing security. Secure housing is about safety and dignity, not just dollars on a balance sheet.” 

Skills, Employment & Migration 

• Skills & Employment: $85.2 million for migrant skills recognition and $27 million for migrant worker protections are strong, targeted investments that MYAN strongly welcomes. 

• Migration Program: Prioritising 129,590 onshore migrants across skill and family streams recognises the contributions of those already building lives in Australia. 

• Refugee Support: $3.5 million for the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Program, alongside the Economic Pathways to Refugee Integration program, reflects a commitment to durable settlement outcomes. 

• International Students: MYAN encourages the government to ensure that visa integrity measures, backed by $19.8 million over four years and a 2026 commencement cap of 295,000 are implemented in ways that protect student welfare and do not create further vulnerability. 

Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program will remain at 20,000 places, the level set in 2023-24.  MYAN calls on the government to maintain a robust, well-resourced Refugee and Humanitarian Program that meets global needs by committing to annually reviewing and increasing intake levels and funding in line with changing international circumstances. 

Carmel Guerra OAM, MYAN’s Chairperson, said: “Investing in skills recognition and worker protections unlocks the immense potential of young migrants. Too many highly qualified young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds remain trapped in insecure work below their skill level, their qualifications unrecognised, and their rights unprotected. Validating their skills and safeguarding their workplace rights empowers them to build meaningful careers and participate fully in the Australian economy.” 

Mental Health and Wellbeing 

• Mental Health: $283.2 million for suicide prevention, $78 million to continue funding for Medicare Mental Health Centres and $3.1 million for school mental health support are steps in the right direction.  

• Equitable Health Access: $10.8 million to continue the Health in My Language program to addresses structural barriers that prevent refugee and migrant women from accessing essential health services. 

• Early Childhood & Development: The $2 billion invested into the Thriving Kids program will support kids aged 8 and under with autism or developmental delays, including Medicare subsidised checkups, support for parents and caregivers, and investment in workforce development.  

• Disability Support: $2.2 billion is allocated for covering school accessibility, staff training, and individual care. 

MYAN calls on the government to expand subsidised mental health sessions and ensure NDIS changes do not create additional barriers for vulnerable young people who already face intersectional barriers to accessing support.  

Social Cohesion and Community Support 

• Community Infrastructure: $841.7 million to fund including parks, community centres, sports and cultural facilities to strengthen social cohesion and enhance quality of life. 

• Social Cohesion: prioritises social cohesion through over $52 million in targeted funding to combat racism, antisemitism, and violent extremism including $20 million for the Together for Humanity program to address racism and antisemitism in schools- a welcome investment in safe and inclusive learning environments. 

MYAN welcomes additional support for the Jewish community and investments in social cohesion. We encourage the government to continue investing in measures that advance a national infrastructure, essential for ensuring equal opportunity, safety, and belonging for all young people living in Australia.

MYAN calls on the government to commit to substantial, long-term funding to develop and implement a National Anti-Racism Framework in schools. This should include a clear timeline and resource allocation to ensure that every child, regardless of background, experiences safety and feels a sense of belonging in their schools. 

“Securing the future of our multicultural youth requires investing in their present. We need a genuine commitment to co-design with children and young people across education, health, and employment reforms, ensuring all young people, especially First Nations youth and multicultural youth, are centred in the decisions that shape their lives.” Rana Ebrahimi, MYAN National Manager. “MYAN remains committed to working with government to ensure multicultural young people’s voices help to shape future investment and reform.” 

Media Contact: Rana Ebrahimi, MYAN National Manager 

rana@myan.org.au / 0498 437 380  

About MYAN: MYAN is the Australian peak body representing young people and children from refugee and migrant backgrounds. We advocate for equitable opportunities and for young people’s voices to be heard. MYAN remains committed to working with the government and stakeholders to ensure multicultural young people have access to the support they need to thrive in an inclusive Australia. 

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