Every year, we ask NSW children and young people aged 10–24 about the issues that matter most to them through the NSW Youth Week poll. The polling was undertaken by The Insight Centre for the NSW Office for Youth.
Over 2,300 young people completed the survey between 28 January and 20 February 2026.
These insights provide a valuable foundation for NSW Youth Week 2026 and beyond, spotlighting the essential needs of young people and guiding the NSW Government in refining its support systems.
The top issues for young people in 2026 are mental health, cost of living and housing.
Download the full report to learn about the key insights such as:
How children and young people feel about life in NSW
Emerging issues such as the impacts of the social media delay, generative AI usage and gambling advertising
How children and young people see mental health
What children and young people want the NSW Government to know
Phone: 02 9248 0970
Email: info@officeforyouth.nsw.gov.au
NSW Office for Youth
Ground Floor, 219-241 Cleveland Street, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
The Office for Youth is under the DCJ ABN 36 433 875 185.
We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the First Nations Peoples of NSW and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future.
Informed by lessons of the past, the Office for Youth is improving how we work with Aboriginal people and communities.
We listen and learn from the knowledge, strength and resilience of Stolen Generations Survivors, Aboriginal Elders and Aboriginal communities.