Equity, diversity and social connection

Making hope possible: Young people and a future within reach

The Mission Australia Youth Survey has been capturing the aspirations, experiences and concerns of young people across Australia each year since 2002. As Australia’s largest annual survey of young people, it provides an important evidence base for policy, practice and advocacy by giving young people a national platform to share what matters to them and their perspectives on the issues affecting their lives.

Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, partners with Mission Australia to use these insights to better understand issues affecting young people and their mental health and wellbeing.

This report draws on responses from 17,155 young people aged 14–19 years who took part in the 2025 Youth Survey, to examine what young people hope for as they move towards adulthood. It explores how young people feel about their futures, and how confident they are that they can navigate the challenges ahead and achieve the lives they want.

It also examines how young people’s current circumstances, including their mental health and wellbeing, financial and housing circumstances, social relationships and support, and access to opportunities and resources, are related to whether their future goals feel within reach.