New data from the Mission Australia Youth Survey Report 2025 has highlighted the growing toll the cost-of-living crisis is taking on young Victorians and their families.
The survey, which gathered responses from almost 4500 Victorians aged 14 to 19, found cost of living is now the most important issue facing young people.
Concern has surged to 64 per cent, more than double the 31 per cent recorded in 2023, demonstrating the rapid escalation of financial stress being felt across households.
The findings show young people are
acutely aware of the pressures facing their families, from struggling to pay everyday bills to juggling rising food, electricity and housing costs.
Many are witnessing parents under
strain, working longer hours while trying to manage childcare, school commitments and household budgets.
The Nationals’ State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the results should be a wake-up call.
“It is unusual for our younger generation to have cost of living at the top of their issues list, but the reality is young people are seeing first-hand how tough it has become for their parents just to keep their heads above water,” Mr Bull said.
“This is no doubt a direct result of the myriad of new taxes we have in Victoria that do not exist in other states – as our government struggles to pay the massive debt it has racked up (heading towards $192 billion with interest repayments alone of $28m per day).
“Working families are being stretched from every direction, with rising bills, unaffordable childcare and workloads that leave parents exhausted and stressed.”
Mr Bull said the outlook for young people was particularly concerning given stagnant wages and persistently high housing costs.
“This generation is being handed the bill for Labor’s reckless financial mismanagement, which has racked up billions in state debt
and expects young Victorians to pay it back,” he said.
“That is an unfair burden to place on
young people who are already anxious about their future.”
