Young Australians participation in our democratic systems needs direct action

Australia’s democracy rests on the foundation of compulsory voting, a model that theoretically promotes widespread participation. However, despite this mandate, young Australians are increasingly disengaged. By the 2025 federal election, approximately 1.2 million young Australians will be eligible to vote for the first time, marking a crucial moment. Yet, many young people express frustration, citing disconnection from the political process.

The Appearance of Participation

Compulsory voting creates the illusion of high participation, but true engagement is often lacking. According to the Australian Public Service’s Trust and Satisfaction Report, younger Australians are losing faith in the system. Many young voters see elections as a mere obligation. A growing 62% of young Australians believe their leaders fail to represent their concerns, from climate change to mental health and housing affordability, according to the 2024 Scanlon Foundation Report.

A common refrain is exemplified by Josh, a 23-year-old, who said: “We get told to vote, but no one really asks us what we care about. It’s all about the boomers.” This sentiment reflects a widespread feeling that older voters dominate the political discourse, pushing younger generations to question the value of their participation.

Systemic Barriers for Marginalised Groups

Beyond generational disengagement, systemic barriers disproportionately affect young women, LGBTQI+ individuals, and culturally diverse communities. For these groups, participating in civic spaces is not only about showing up at the ballot box but navigating structural inequalities.

The Australian Human Rights Commission highlights how young women face hurdles such as online harassment, gender-based violence, and exclusion from leadership roles. LGBTQI+ youth also face social discrimination. A 2024 report showed that 40% of young LGBTQI+ Australians avoid civic spaces due to fear of discrimination.

For culturally diverse individuals, particularly recent immigrants and refugees, the challenges of participation are compounded by language barriers and systemic racism. The Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs found that individuals from non-English speaking backgrounds are 30% less likely to engage in political activities, often citing alienation and a lack of representation.

Indigenous Australians, despite efforts to increase their political engagement, remain largely excluded from decision-making. The Freedom House 2024 report highlights how Indigenous voices are frequently overlooked in policies affecting their communities, perpetuating their marginalisation.

The Digital Divide and Democracy

Digital spaces, where much of youth engagement occurs, have become fraught with challenges. Social media algorithms and the spread of misinformation hinder meaningful political discourse. Young voters often find themselves overwhelmed by conflicting narratives, leading to disengagement.

LGBTQI+ individuals face even greater hostility online, with 35% of LGBTQI+ Australians reporting unsafe experiences in digital spaces. The impact of this is significant, as harassment deters individuals from participating in public and political life. Young Australians, such as 21-year-old Sienna, express a shared frustration: “It’s hard to know what’s real anymore. We get bombarded with so many conflicting messages online.”

Reconnecting with Civic Opportunity

So how do we re-engage young Australians, especially marginalised groups? The answer lies in creating programs that empower disenfranchised groups and offer pathways for sustained involvement, and gettihng these programss to scale, rather than have them effectively function as pilot programmes for small groups of people.

Programs like Girls Take Over Parliament offer a platform for young women to gain experience and break into leadership roles, helping to address gender disparities in civic engagement. Similarly, Minus18, an LGBTQI+ youth organisation, focuses on educating and advocating for LGBTQI+ involvement in political processes. By creating safe spaces for civic participation, Minus18 fosters an environment where LGBTQI+ youth can engage in political dialogue without fear of discrimination.

For culturally diverse communities, the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN) helps young Australians from varied backgrounds develop leadership skills and engage in civic activities. MYAN’s focus on political literacy and representation is bridging gaps between these communities and the broader political system.

Practical Solutions for Rebalancing Democracy

To restore trust and participation in Australia’s democracy, a multi-faceted approach is needed:

1. Civic Education: Embedding civic responsibility into educational curriculums across all levels is crucial. The Australian Human Rights Commission has advocated for enhanced civic education to empower marginalised communities, ensuring they can participate fully.
2. Digital Accountability: Social media platforms must be held accountable for the role they play in shaping political discourse. Stronger regulations are needed to control misinformation and politically motivated ads that mislead voters.
3. Youth-Driven Policy: Creating institutional spaces for young people to influence policy directly is essential. Programs like Youth Parliament of Australia and Vote For Your Future offer models for sustained, meaningful youth engagement.

Australia’s democracy stands at a critical juncture where participation can be addressed to preserve and build trust, as well as social cohesion. Young Australians are in line to shape the future, but their participation must be more than obligatory, and their inclusion must be sincerely addressed. By addressing systemic barriers, promoting digital literacy, and empowering marginalised voices, Australia can ensure its democracy is truly more representative and inclusive, while responding to current social cohesion deficits.