Australia is often seen as a land of opportunity, but for many young workers, the reality doesn’t quite live up to the promise. Stories of exploitation are all too common, especially in industries like hospitality, retail, and agriculture. From underpaying wages to unsafe working conditions, some employers take advantage of young people’s lack of experience or understanding of their workplace rights.
Many are paid less than minimum wage, denied breaks, forced to cover work expenses (like training and uniforms), given products instead of pay, and missing out on superannuation — the retirement savings system designed to help workers down the road. Young people often find themselves in these situations because they’re new to the workforce, unaware of their rights, or afraid of losing their jobs if they speak up.
But it’s not just about pay. Exploitation goes deeper. For example, 1 in 3 workers experienced workplace sexual harassment in the last five years, according to the Australian Human Rights Commission, with young workers being the most affected. What’s worse, most of these incidents go unreported because people fear overreacting or feel it’s safer to stay silent.
Adding to this mess is the rising cost of living, which is putting even more pressure on young workers. While Australia’s overall unemployment rate is 4.1%, the picture looks very different for young people — with unemployment jumping to 9.2%, according to official data. This puts extra stress on young workers to hang onto their jobs, even if they’re being treated unfairly.
All this financial strain doesn’t just hurt bank accounts — it’s also taking a toll on mental health. A 2024 report by the nonprofit Orygen found young workers dealing with financial stress were twice as likely to face mental health challenges. It creates a vicious cycle: financial stress harms mental health, which then makes it harder to focus on education or work, keeping young people stuck in a tough spot. It’s no surprise all this stress and pressure is leading to burnout for many young workers.
So, what can young workers do? Knowing your rights is a good place to start. The Fair Work Ombudsman, a government agency, offers free advice and resources to help workers understand workplace laws in Australia. They investigate complaints, take legal action against dodgy employers, and even provide tools like an online pay calculator to make sure you’re being paid what you deserve. It’s worth checking out if you feel something isn’t right at work.
