The latest data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) shows how the experiences of 24-year-olds in 2024 differ from those surveyed in 2012 and 2018. Generation Z: life after COVID shows more young people are experiencing poor health and there are fewer with qualifications, or in full-time work.
In 2024, results showed that two-thirds (67%) of young people surveyed held a qualification by age 24 (down from 77% in 2012). More than half (54%) were working full-time (down from 65% in 2012), with fewer viewing their current job as a career.
NCVER Managing Director John King highlighted the unique challenges facing the current generation of young people. ‘Historically, by age 24, young people were well established in employment, often having completed post-school qualifications. Our latest figures show fewer young people are established in a career path, indicating potential knock-on effects of a youth cohort impacted by the COVID pandemic and delayed study pathways.’
The biggest hurdles reported by young unemployed people to finding work were a lack of experience (68%) or confidence (53%), and gaps in education and training (45%).
Survey results also showed that only 43% of young people rated their health as excellent or very good (down from 65% in 2012), while the number reporting a health condition or disability, that limits their work or study, increased to 12% in 2024 (up from 6% in 2012). These patterns may reflect greater awareness and reporting of mental health issues, as well as a change in prevalence.
Mr King added, ‘Young people are telling us their biggest hurdles to finding work are gaining experience, having the right education and training and building confidence. At the same time, self-rated health has fallen sharply over the past decade, and more young people are reporting conditions that limit their work or study. These issues are often connected — rising reports of mental health conditions can affect confidence. At the same time, difficulties in navigating education and training options can make it harder to step into full-time work.’
With 30 years of data from over 60,000 young Australians across six survey cohorts, LSAY provides a rich data asset for exploring the interplay between work, study and the individual characteristics of young people across the generations.
Background
The Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) track young Australians from age 15 to 25, capturing their experiences as they leave school, pursue further study, and enter the workforce. Insights from LSAY help researchers, policymakers and educators better understand and support young people’s transitions into adulthood.
Generation Z: life after COVID brings together information from LSAY participants who commenced the program in 2015, using findings from their 2024 interviews to explore their engagement with study and work, alongside measures of their health and wellbeing. It also compares results from 24-year-olds in 2012, 2018 and 2024 to show how the lives of young Australians have changed over the past decade.
Download the infographic: Generation Z: life after COVID.
Enquiries: Colleen Atkinson P: +61 8 8230 8464 E: communications@ncver.edu.au
About NCVER: we are the main provider of research, statistics and data on Australia’s VET sector. Our services help promote better understanding of VET and assist policy makers, practitioners, industry, training providers, and students to make informed decisions.
This work has been produced by NCVER on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, with funding provided through the Australian Government Department of Education.