Young people across Newcastle and the Hunter region are demonstrating stronger workforce participation than their state counterparts, yet they're experiencing heightened anxiety about financial pressures and housing affordability according to new research.
Employment Success Amid Financial Strain
The latest Mission Australia Youth Survey for 2025 has uncovered a complex picture for the Hunter's younger generation. Ninety percent of local youth reported either working part-time or actively seeking employment, significantly outpacing the NSW average of 84 percent.
Despite this employment advantage, Hunter youth are feeling the pinch of economic pressures more acutely. Twenty-nine percent identified cost of living as a major stressor, compared to 23 percent across NSW. The issue ranked as the number one concern for 70 percent of local respondents, exceeding the state average of 66 percent.
Top Concerns Facing Young Hunter Residents
The survey, which collected responses from 227 young people aged 14-19 in the Newcastle and Hunter region, revealed a clear hierarchy of concerns. Following cost of living, housing and homelessness emerged as the second most pressing issue at 28 percent, with mental health (22 percent) and climate change (17 percent) completing the top four.
Mission Australia State Director for NSW/ACT Di Kapera expressed concern about the findings. "The impact of cost of living pressures on young people's mental health and wellbeing is clear", Ms Kapera stated, noting that 18 percent of NSW respondents reported their families experiencing frequent financial stress.
Mental Health and Educational Differences
The research uncovered significant mental health challenges among Hunter youth. Nearly 40 percent reported experiencing mental health-related stress in the past year, while one in five demonstrated high levels of psychological distress. Alarmingly, nearly one in four young people felt lonely most or all of the time.
Educational aspirations also differed from state trends. Only 74 percent of Hunter youth planned to complete school, substantially lower than the NSW average of 93 percent. Local young people were more likely to cite lack of self-confidence and mental health concerns as barriers to achieving their goals.
Community Connections and Support Systems
The survey revealed challenges in community engagement and support networks. Friends emerged as a more helpful source of support than parents or family members, yet nearly one in four respondents said they wouldn't turn to friends or family for help when needed.
Thirty-five percent reported feeling disconnected from their neighbourhood communities, while one in five felt their local area lacked the necessary resources for a positive future. Less than half found it easy to access services or organisations when requiring assistance.
Now in its 24th year, the Mission Australia Youth Survey represents Australia's largest annual youth survey, with 17,155 participants nationwide in 2025. The organisation has used the findings to call for increased government support, including raising income support payments to at least $82 per day and boosting investment in social and affordable housing specifically designed for young people.
