4/11/2026
OCTEC has released the findings of a Policy Lab, run independently by Orygen, which brought together 30 representatives from government, employment services, researchers, community organisations and young people to explore how employment services can better support young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
With 75 per cent of mental ill-health conditions emerging before the age of 25, and 80 per cent of Australians agreeing that employment services should play a role, the report sets out three priority policy directions: developing training resources to expand best practice, funding workforce development and capability building in service contracts, and developing and testing an integrated, youth-centred service approach.
The report is timely as the Australian Government moves towards a decision on its new employment services model. IEP was pleased to take part, with Karin Ridgeway, our Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, contributing to the discussion.
Read the report below.