Early school leavers and young people without Year 12 or equivalent qualifications are particularly vulnerable to the labour market effects of an economic downturn.
On 30 April 2009 the Australian, State and Territory Governments, through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), agreed to a Compact with Young Australians to increase young people’s engagement with education and training pathways. This joint action will ensure that as the economy recovers from the global recession, young Australians will have the skills required to realise their potential.
The Compact with Young Australians focuses on the importance of education and training for young people by supporting young people to gain skills and knowledge through stronger engagement in education, training and employment. Under the Compact:
- all young people will be required to complete Year 10 through a National Youth Participation Requirement and then to be in full time education, training or employment until the age of 17
- 15 to 24 years olds will have access to an education or training entitlement
- changed conditions to Youth Allowance (Other) and Family Tax Benefit (Part A) for young people aged under 21 without Year 12 or an equivalent qualification, making education and training a precondition for income support.
For more details, visit the 'Compact with Young Australians' page on the DEEWR website.
