When Wollongong resident, Chloe Thompson, 17, checks her phone each morning she already knows what’s coming, another rejection, another “unfortunately”, another reminder that entering the workforce is no longer straightforward, even for the qualified.
“I’ve applied for 47 jobs since January,” Ms Thompson said.
“Most don’t even reply. The ones that do want three years of experience for casual work.”
Her experience reflects a growing reality for young Australians that despite strong headline employment figures, the path into stable work has become increasingly narrow.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.1 per cent, with employment increasing by 65,000 people.
ABS head of labour statistics Sean Crick said in a media release that both full time and part time employment contributed to the rise.
“This month we saw more 15-24 year olds moving into employment, contributing to the rise in overall employment and the fall in the unemployment rate,” Mr Crick said.
But the headline numbers mask a more complex reality for young people trying to secure consistent work.
While unemployment has remained relatively stable, underemployment continues to disproportionately affect younger workers.
According to the ABS, the national underemployment rate fell to 5.7 per cent, but for 15–17 year olds it has remained significantly higher at 17.4 per cent.
Mr Crick said labour conditions had improved across several indicators, noting that monthly hours worked rose in line with employment growth.
The ABS has reported that monthly hours worked exceeded two billion for the first time, which is a record high.
For many young people, the issue is not whether they have a job but whether that job provides enough hours to provide a living.
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For Wollongong resident Kieren Leader, 19, the challenge is not a lack of willingness to work, but a lack of entry points.
He has applied for multiple entry level roles across the retail and administration sector.
“I keep getting told I don’t have enough experience,” Mr Leader said.
“But how am I supposed to get experience if no one gives me the first job?”
His frustration reflects what many job seekers describe as the “experience paradox” which is a growing trend, where entry level roles increasingly require prior work history.
What was once considered a starting point has become a competitive battleground, with employers expecting skills and experience that young people have not yet had the opportunity to develop.
ABS data has shown that young workers are disproportionately concentrated in hospitality, retail and other service based industries.
According to the ABS, these sectors are often characterised by casual employment, irregular rostering and limited career progression.
While they provide entry points into the workforce, they also expose young workers to fluctuating hours and income instability.
For Wollongong resident Maddison Barton, 24, the instability becomes more apparent as young workers try to become financially independent.
“You might have a job, but you’re not getting enough shifts to actually live off it,” Ms Barton said.
“You end up juggling multiple casual jobs just to make rent.”
Her experience reflects a broader shift in the labour market, where multiple job holding and variable income have become increasingly common among young workers.
ABS data has shown the number of Australians working more than one job has steadily increased over the past decade, with young people making up a significant portion of this group.
Even as overall employment rises, the quality and stability of that employment remain uneven.
The ABS has reported that monthly hours worked rose 0.2 per cent in December 2025, but this growth does not necessarily translate into secure or sufficient hours for young workers, who are often the first to lose shifts when business slows.
A key tension in the labour market is the gap between job availability and entry level access.
While vacancies exist across multiple sectors, young people continue to report difficulty securing roles without prior experience.
This mismatch suggests structural barriers, rather than a simple shortage of jobs.
The ABS states that the labour market has undergone structural changes over time, including shifts in jobs, hours worked, and industry composition.
Casualisation has increased, industries have become more competitive, and employers have raised expectations for entry level roles.
At the same time, the cost of living has risen, placing additional pressure on young people to secure stable income earlier.
For Ms Thompson, the job search continues.
After months of applications and rejection emails, she is now preparing to complete her Traffic Control Certification in the hope it will create new opportunities in a competitive labour market.
It is not the career path she expected, but like many young Australians, she is adapting to a job market that increasingly demands flexibility, additional qualifications and experience before offering a first chance.
For now, Chloe is focused on gaining that qualification, submitting applications, and waiting for the opportunity that turns persistence into employment.
