Young Multicultural Australians Shape Election Outcome - MYAN's Response to 2025 Federal Election Results
The Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network Australia (MYAN) has welcomed the outcome of the 2025 federal election, highlighting the decisive impact of young Australians — particularly those from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
With the multicultural youth vote bigger than ever before, the election result shows their voices were central to shifts seen in key urban electorates across the country.
Early analysis shows a clear swing towards candidates and parties that addressed the issues young people care most about: social equity, housing, cost of living and climate.
“There are so many young leaders already working to create change in their communities,” says MYAN youth advocate Lena Nabizada. “What’s missing is long-term political commitment to back that leadership and make it sustainable.”
“We don’t just want to be consulted — we want real power to co-create the solutions,” adds MYAN youth advocate Tess Poulose.
MYAN calls on all parties to step up.
MYAN’s Election Priorities.
- Combatting Racism and Discrimination: Implement the full suite of recommendations from the Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework. This must include nationally coordinated strategies, education campaigns, and accountability measures to tackle systemic racism in schools, workplaces, media, and public life.
- Genuine Co-design and Youth Leadership: Invest in sustainable partnerships and resourcing for co-design processes that centre multicultural young people. This includes supporting leadership development, capacity-building programs, and formal youth advisory mechanisms across all levels of government.
- Digital Safety and Inclusion: Address the disproportionate impact of online harm, misinformation and digital exclusion. This requires targeted funding for culturally appropriate digital literacy programs, online safety initiatives, and stronger regulation of digital platforms to protect multicultural youth from exploitation, cyberbullying and racial abuse.
- Social Cohesion through Meaningful Inclusion: Ensure that national policies across education, employment, health and the environment are developed through an inclusive lens—recognising the lived experience of multicultural young people and embedding their voices in mainstream youth and community programs.
- Targeted Investment in Mental Health, Housing and Economic Participation: Commit to early intervention strategies that address the compounding challenges multicultural youth face—particularly in accessing mental health support, secure housing, and meaningful employment. Raise Youth Allowance and Austudy above the poverty line and invest in affordable housing and pathways into secure work.
“Multicultural young people are driving conversations on justice, equity and climate. We’re asking leaders to match that energy with bold, intersectional policy,” said Nayonika, MYAN Australia Youth Ambassador. “We want to be at the table, not to just be consulted, but empowered to lead.”
“We know the challenges — we live them — and we’re ready to co-create the solutions,” says Nayonika.
“Multicultural young people are not just a distant promise — they are shaping our communities right now. It’s time for bold, future-focused policies that recognise their leadership, lived experiences and urgent call for change,” says Rana Ebrahimi, MYAN Australia National Manager.
For further information and to arrange interviews please contact 0447 418 726 OR: Rana Ebrahimi, MYAN National Manager at rana@myan.org.au.
MYAN’s Work
MYAN’s vision is that young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds are supported, valued, and thriving in Australia. We are the national peak body on multicultural youth issues – Australia’s only national voice representing the rights, needs, and interests of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
MYAN’s main body of work is in policy and advocacy, capability building and youth leadership. As a bridge between young people, the community sector and policy makers, MYAN contributes to policy development, advocacy, and information sharing relating to the needs of young migrants and refugees. Read some of our work below for a more in depth look at some of our key advocacy priorities and recommendations.
- Counting Us In: Settlement Experiences of LGBTQI+ Refugee and Asylum-seeker Young Adults
- COVID-19 and Young Migrants: Impact and Solutions
- How can the AMEP better support English language learning for young people
- Multicultural Youth Perspectives on Racism and the Draft Anti-Racism Framework
- National Data Snapshot-Youth Settlement 2024
- National Education Roundtable – Briefing Paper
- Navigating Youth Settlement in Australia: Challenges and Opportunities
- Women at Risk Visa Holders Consultation Report
Resources
During an election, there may be people or groups trying to influence the way you vote. This can include family, friends, social media content and commentators. Your vote is your choice. No one else gets to decide it for you.
Below are reliable, correct resources and links to information for this election.
