Reports
Racism in Australian school settings continues to be a prevalent issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and students from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds. MYAN has conducted a literature review into the prevalence and impacts of racism on young people in educational settings. From this review, MYAN outlines the case for a National Anti-Racism Framework to be embedded in Australian schools.
- Published in 2026
- Advocacy, Education, Social Cohesion
MYAN welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Department of Home Affairs’ discussion paper “Australia’s Humanitarian Program 2026-27.” This submission has an intentional focus on children and young people arriving in Australia through the Humanitarian Program and provides a national perspective. The discussion paper presents an important opportunity to reflect on both the gaps and successes of Australia’s Humanitarian Program, plan for and implement a program that upholds our global commitments in providing safe haven for those most in need of protection, and ensure that Australia’s globally recognised settlement services also meets the distinct settlement needs of children and young people.
- Published in 2026
- Human Rights, Migration and Resettlement
In 2025, MYAN conducted a national survey asking young people what terms resonated with them. The two most common terms used in public policy and advocacy are Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and Culturally and Racially Marginalised (CARM). With the limitation of language in being able to capture complexities and nuances in simple terms, both terms present their own challenges and tensions. This survey report outlines the responses of how multicultural young people identify with terms used to represent them, and the approaches MYAN will take with a youth-informed perspective.
MYAN would like to thank the following experts for their contributions to this paper: Courtney Green – Brotherhood of St Laurence, Duncan Smith, Distinguished Professor Fethi Mansouri, Dr Gelareh Holden, Hakan Akyol – Australian Multicultural Foundation, Professor Karen Block and Gemma Tarpey-Brown – University of Melbourne, Nesreen Bottriell – Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights, Dr Teresa De Fazio, Zahra Al Helaly.
- Published in 2026
- Youth Engagement
The post-pandemic (COVID-19) period is a time when ‘co’ – taken from the word collaboration – has become a prefix added to a growing list of verbs such as co-produce, co-develop, co-create and most notably, co-design.1 It is generally accepted that these participatory forms of partnership not only reduce duplication and optimise existing strengths and resources, but also that they can lead to better outcomes. This is because when people are involved in designing things that they will/may ultimately use, they are more likely to engage with, share, promote and take ownership over the final product; and that product is more likely to be responsive to their needs, and the needs of others like them2. While the recent surge in visibility may make these approaches to planning, designing and delivering work seem new, many organisations and groups have been partnering with members of the community/client groups they serve such as young people for some time.
This value paper was prepared by Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network Australia (MYAN) and Monash University’s Health and Social Care Unit (HSCU) to explore how partnering and working with young people, specifically those from multicultural backgrounds, can enhance the responsiveness and effectiveness of programs and policies.
- Published in 2025
- Youth Engagement
The report details the launch and strategic direction of the MYAN National Policy Alliance (NPA), officially inaugurated on 28 February 2025 in Melbourne. Spearheaded by the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network Australia (MYAN), the NPA is a national collaborative platform aimed at addressing systemic challenges faced by young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds across Australia.
The NPA seeks to create tangible change through collective advocacy, inclusive policymaking, and youth empowerment, focusing on seven key policy areas:
- Racism in Schools
- Family Violence and Intergenerational Conflict
- Youth Settlement – Regional and Metropolitan Disparities
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Education Pathways
- Employment and Economic Growth
- Redefining Youth Leadership and Participation
The report captures the key discussions, insights, and proposed solutions from the Alliance’s launch, with particular emphasis on community-driven strategies, equitable service access, and cultural responsiveness. Priority focus for the year includes combating racism in schools, addressing family violence, and improving youth settlement experiences.
Through the development of a national resource library, local chapter meetings, and youth-led leadership initiatives, MYAN aims to ensure that multicultural young people have the tools, support, and influence to shape inclusive public policy. The report positions the NPA as a pivotal step in building a more just and equitable society for Australia’s diverse youth population.
- Published in 2025
- Advocacy
The report titled Navigating Youth Settlement in Australia: Challenges and Opportunities by the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN) Australia provides an in-depth analysis of the settlement experiences of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds across various regions in Australia. The report identifies key challenges these young people face in areas such as education, employment, health and wellbeing, social connectedness, and navigating Australian services and laws. It also highlights the persistent issues of racism and discrimination. Based on national consultations, the report offers insights into the unique needs of these young people and proposes opportunities for improving settlement services and policies to better support their integration and successful participation in Australian society.
- Published in 2023
- Education, Employment, Health and Wellbeing, Migration and Resettlement, Social Cohesion
The report titled Counting Us In: Settlement Experiences of LGBTQI+ Refugee and Asylum Seeker Young Adults by the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN) Australia explores the unique settlement challenges faced by LGBTQI+ young adults from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds in Australia. It provides insights into their experiences of navigating identity, accessing support services, and integrating into Australian society. The report highlights the additional barriers these young adults face due to their sexual orientation and gender identity, including discrimination, lack of social support, and difficulties in accessing appropriate services. It also offers recommendations for improving service provision to better meet the needs of this vulnerable group and enhance their settlement outcomes.
- Published in 2023
- Human Rights, Migration and Resettlement, Social Cohesion
This report presents the findings from a national consultation conducted by the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN) Australia. The report captures the experiences and perspectives of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds on racism in Australia. It discusses the prevalence of racism in various aspects of their lives, including education, employment, and public spaces. The report also provides insights into the expectations and recommendations of these young people for the National Anti-Racism Framework, advocating for meaningful involvement of people with lived experiences, the importance of education, and the need for systemic change to promote a more inclusive and equitable society.
- Published in 2022
- Social Cohesion
The report provides an analysis of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on young migrants in Australia, particularly those aged 15 to 29. The report explores the disproportionate challenges faced by this group in the labour market, including higher unemployment rates, reduced working hours, and the long-term impacts of job losses. It also examines the broader economic implications of these challenges and proposes solutions to improve labour market outcomes for young migrants, highlighting the potential economic benefits of closing the participation rate gap between young migrants and their Australian-born counterparts.
- Published in 2021
- Health and Wellbeing
Developed by MYAN and the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture in collaboration with the National Education Roundtable Steering Group, the paper addresses a significant gap in national policies relating to these students. The paper highlights challenges these students face within Australia’s education system, including low English proficiency, interrupted schooling, and trauma from migration. Systemic issues such as the reduction of EAL/D support services and inconsistent policies across states further hinder their educational progress. The paper also notes a lack of national research into effective strategies to support these students, pointing to the need for better data and analysis to guide future policies and programs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified these barriers, particularly with remote learning exposing inequities in access to digital devices and internet connectivity. Families with limited English proficiency struggled to support their children’s learning at home, and many students faced increased mental, emotional, and financial strain. The paper calls for coordinated action from all levels of government, better funding transparency, and targeted programs to engage parents and ensure schools have the resources to foster inclusive learning environments. Addressing these barriers is crucial to improving educational outcomes for refugee and migrant students, especially in light of the pandemic’s lasting impact.
- Published in 2020
- Education