Youth unemployment is a major social and economic problem. The official statistics put youth unemployment at 14 per cent, affecting over 300,000 young people between the ages of 15 and 24. Teenagers have unemployment rates that are nearly twice as high as those in their twenties.

Youth unemployment is not something Australia has to have. It is the product of policies that have failed to produce economic growth, an excessively regulated labour market, the high on-costs of taking on extra staff, and shortcomings at all levels of the education system. Weakening family ties have exacerbated the problems of youth.