About the survey
Now in its 25th year, the Mission Australia Youth Survey is Australia’s largest and longest‑running annual survey of young people aged 14–19. It provides nationally robust data on young people’s values, concerns, challenges and aspirations, with more than 17,000 respondents in 2025 and over 500,000 surveys completed over its history.
The survey gathers insights across key areas including mental health, school and work, cost of living, climate concerns, community connections, stressors and overall wellbeing.
Results are widely used by schools, community organisations, councils and governments to inform planning, improve programs and strengthen support for young people. Participation offers access to credible, youth‑reported data to guide evidence‑based decision‑making in your community.
The 2026 Youth Survey is now open, celebrating 25 years of insights from young people aged 14 to 19.
Who can take part?
Schools
Government, Catholic and independent schools can register to involve students aged 14–19 & receive tailored insights.
Community organisations
Charities, youth services and community organisations can involve young people and use local data to guide programs.
Councils
Engage young people 14-19, gather reliable local insights & strengthen evidence‑based youth strategies.
Individuals
Young people can complete the survey solo, having their say in Australia’s largest annual study of youth experiences.
What's involved?
Register your school, organisation or council and complete the consent form to get started. After registering, you’ll receive a unique code for young people to enter when completing the online survey, along with a comprehensive Toolkit to support your participation.
This Toolkit includes information sheets, parent consent forms, guidance on implementing the survey, example reports showing the type of analysis you can receive, and promotional resources such as posters and newsletter copy.
You can then share the survey link and code through classes, programs, events or your own networks. The survey takes around 20 minutes and can be completed on a phone, laptop or computer. If young people participate through your school or service, please ensure an appropriate staff member is available to provide support if needed.
When completing the consent form, your school, council or organisation can opt in to receive a complimentary tailored report based on your unique code or postcodes. This report provides locally relevant insights into young people’s priorities, concerns and wellbeing, and is widely used to guide planning, youth strategies and service design.
Over 100 schools and organisations received reports in 2025. A minimum of 100 responses is required, though a lower threshold can be agreed upon in advance with Mission Australia.
In addition to your tailored report, your organisation will also receive the state and national Youth Survey reports once they are released, providing broader context to support your local insights.
Yes. The Youth Survey has received ethical approval from the University of Melbourne’s Human Research Ethics Committee. Government and Catholic schools will be provided with documentation confirming approval from their governing body so they can participate with confidence and meet internal requirements.
Young people’s responses are confidential, encrypted, and stored securely. Only aggregated national, state or postcode results are reported, and individuals are never identified. Participation is entirely voluntary - young people can skip questions or stop the survey at any time, and incomplete responses are removed and not reported.
Mission Australia follows a strict duty‑of‑care process: if responses suggest a young person may be at risk of harm, abuse, neglect or significant psychological distress, the relevant school principal or appropriate authority is notified so timely, appropriate support can be provided. This ensures young people’s safety remains central throughout the survey.
The survey also includes contact details for support organisations, including Kids Helpline, headspace, Lifeline, QLife, Butterfly Foundation and 13YARN, so young people can access help if needed.
The survey asks young people about key areas of their lives, including mental health and wellbeing, school and work, cost of living, climate concerns, financial pressures, social media, family and peer relationships, housing, community connections, and sources of stress such as body image, school pressures and friendships.
The 2026 survey also includes questions on local community involvement and neighbourhood changes that could improve young people’s lives. These topics help schools, councils and organisations understand emerging trends and respond to local needs.
If you have any questions about taking part in the Mission Australia Youth Survey, or would like to discuss your school’s, organisation’s or council’s involvement, you can contact the Mission Australia Research & Insights team at [email protected].
The team can provide further guidance on participation, reporting options, consent requirements, or any aspect of the survey process.
