Youth unemployment levels were found to be the highest across regional Australia, more than twice of the nation’s overall unemployment rate according to a recent analysis from Brotherhood of Saint Laurence. 

According to the new analysis, almost one-in-nine young people aged 15 to 24 are unable to find work, which is triple the rate for those aged 25 and over. 

In NSW, Coffs Harbour and Grafton region were the worst areas for youth unemployment with more than 20 per cent of young people unable to find work. 

In some parts of Australia, youth employment rate have spiked up to 88 per cent during the past two years. 

“It’s spiking incredibly highly in some areas. As much as, to jump by as much as 88 per cent in areas of Australia which is frightening. So over the last two years, youth unemployment has reached 21.6 per cent in Cairns,” Senior management of youth transitions at the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Sally James said. 

“I hate to think how high the youth unemployment will be. In Cairns if it keeps going this well it will be 46 per cent, in the outer east of Melbourne it will be up at near 19 per cent. In Tasmania we’re looking at 33 per cent if it continues in this particular way,” Ms James added. 

ACT had the best chances of employment among young people, with the youth unemployment rate at nine per cent.