Refugee Youth Issues

A bit of a background on some specific issues for refugee and migrant young people:
Refugee and Young people have some specific issues that need to be addressed through programs that address:

  • Families headed by a single parent, mostly women who have entered Australia under Refugee and Special Humanitarian Programs
  • Young people who have arrived in Australia as detached minors, who are either sponsored by relatives already in Australia or arrive with a close adult or relative. Detached minors as well as other young Refugee and Young people often experience transient living arrangements living with different families. Often these young people become homeless due to over crowding, financial stress and relationship stress.
  • Large families and low income can place strains on family relationships
  • Young people who have experienced war, torture and persecution before arrival in Australia.
  • Communities with minimal English and low literacy.
  • Young refugees are six to ten times more likely to become homeless than other young people.
  • Refugee and Young people do not access mainstream services until crisis point.
  • Recently arrived Refugee and Young people communities are generally unaware of local mainstream support agencies for assistance.
  • Recently arrived Refugee and Young people communities lack usual community and family networks; need increased support at least in the first two years from arrival.
  • Due to war and conflict in their homeland Refugee and Young people members have been separated from family members, only to be reunited many years later, can exacerbate Inter-generational conflict combined with differing cultural expectations
  • Young people due to social isolation and lack of connection to the community are at risk of entering the Juvenile Justice system
  • Refugee and Young people communities who as a result of their migration experience low self-esteem. Chronic health problems depression and other forms of psychiatric illness
  • Young people who due to interrupted schooling and language and literacy difficulties have low school retention rates.
  • Greater educational support for young people for who English is a Second Language.


A bit of a background on some specific issues for refugee and migrant young people:

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