Reports
The National Youth Settlement Framework (NYSF) is a comprehensive guide developed by the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN) Australia to support and measure best practices in youth settlement services for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. The framework aims to enhance the settlement outcomes for these young people by providing a structured approach to policy development and service delivery across various sectors, including education, health, and employment. It focuses on fostering active citizenship, which involves the full participation of young people in Australian society, by building their skills, knowledge, and networks.
The NYSF includes good practice capabilities, practical tools, and indicators for achieving successful settlement and integration, ensuring that young people from diverse backgrounds are supported to become active and engaged members of the community.
The additional resource kit has been developed as a supplement to the NYSF is also available here.
- Published in 2020
- Migration and Resettlement
This discussion paper focuses on how the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) can be improved to better meet the specific English language learning needs of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. The paper outlines the importance of English proficiency for successful settlement and participation in Australian society, highlights the challenges young people face in the current AMEP system, and provides recommendations for making the program more youth-focused, flexible, and responsive to their unique circumstances. The paper also discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of AMEP classes and suggests ways to innovate and adapt the program to better support young learners.
- Published in 2020
- Education
This Report provides an overview of basic demographic data and settlement trends for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds arriving in Australia between July 2017 and June 2018 with a permanent (or provisional) visa. It is based on data from the period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018 provided by the Department of Social Services, as at 5th November 2018.2 MYAN has also drawn on the data of Department of Home Affairs in relation to asylum seekers living in the community with bridging visas. The Report should be read in conjunction with the stated caveats found under ‘Important Notes’ at the end of this document.
While this Report has a focus on young people arriving through Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program (i.e. the ‘Humanitarian Program’), some of the data presents youth settlement trends across the whole Migration Program (i.e. Family and Skill streams). It also includes a brief overview of some of the issues facing young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds during the settlement process. These issues have been identified by MYAN through its national policy and advocacy work. MYAN has been preparing youth-focused settlement\ trends reports annually as young people make up an important portion of permanent arrivals to Australia and contribute significantly to an increasingly multicultural Australian society. This data report aims to demonstrate the diversity of young people arriving to Australia, not just in terms of demographic factors but also in terms of their arrival pathways and their settlement across Australia.
For an historic perspective, this Report may be read in conjunction with MYAN’s previous Data Report on Youth Settlement Trends in Australia and Humanitarian Youth Arrivals to Australia Information Sheets. These and other MYAN resources are available at www.myan.org.au
- Published in 2018
- Migration and Resettlement
Young People in a Multicultural World: rethinking a new policy and practice agenda was hosted by MYAN Australia in partnership with the Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, on 23rd and 24th November 2017. Over 280 delegates attended including policy-makers, academics, practitioners, young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds and international speakers. Delegates represented a range of fields, with all levels of government represented, as well as NGOs from the settlement, health, education, youth and multicultural sectors.
This report provides a snapshot of the conference proceedings and key conference findings.
- Published in 2018
- Youth Engagement
MYAN welcomes the release of the Final Draft of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). The creation of the GCR is a critical opportunity for the recognition and inclusion of refugee youth rights and needs in discussions around refugee protection. This would ensure that refugee youth, as a group with distinct rights, needs and capacities, and who make up at least one-third of the global refugee population, are adequately protected and empowered. This reflects and builds on the work of UNHCR and civil society over several years in promoting the rights and needs of refugee youth.
- Published in 2018
- Social Cohesion
This report to the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (the CERD Committee) examines Australia’s compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). The report is intended to inform the Committee’s review of Australia during its 94th session in November 2017.
It has been prepared with substantial input by 26 individuals and non-government organisations (NGOs) from across Australia and endorsed by and 53 NGOs, as listed below. This report seeks to address some of the key concerns and Concluding Observations made by the CERD Committee in its 2010 review of Australia and important issues that have arisen since 2010.
- Published in 2017
- Social Cohesion
The report was developed by VicHealth in collaboration with MYAN Australia and CSIRO, explores the mental health and wellbeing challenges and opportunities for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in Australia. The report builds on the 2015 Bright Futures framework, which identified five megatrends impacting young Victorians. This version focuses on how these trends affect young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, particularly in areas such as education, employment, digital participation, and social inclusion. The report highlights the additional barriers these youth face, including racial discrimination, digital exclusion, and challenges in the job market, while also emphasising their resilience and the potential for policy and service improvements to better support their integration and wellbeing in Australian society.
- Published in 2017
- Education, Health and Wellbeing, Social Cohesion
The Desk Review of Programming Guidelines for Adolescents and Youth in Emergencies focuses on the unique needs of adolescents and youth during humanitarian crises. Conducted by INEE, MYAN, NRC, and RET International, this review maps existing guidelines related to education, health, livelihoods, and durable solutions in emergency contexts. The report identifies significant gaps in the availability of youth-specific programming guidelines, particularly in areas like post-secondary education, mental and physical health, and public health interventions. The findings highlight the need for more targeted and age-appropriate interventions to support young people in emergency settings, ensuring their resilience and long-term wellbeing.
- Published in 2017
- Education, Health and Wellbeing, Social Cohesion
The Speaking Up: The Global Refugee Youth Consultations in Australia Report captures the voices and experiences of young people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds who participated in consultations across Australia from February to May 2016. Coordinated by MYAN Australia and the Refugee Council of Australia, the consultations aimed to identify the key challenges these young people face, such as access to education, mental health services, and employment, while also exploring the solutions they proposed. The report emphasises the importance of involving young refugees in decision-making processes and highlights the role they can play in advocating for their rights and improving services that affect their lives.
- Published in 2016
- Migration and Resettlement, Social Cohesion