UNICEF

Vote4Kids

This election, UNICEF Australia is calling on decision makers to put the needs of children & young people first.

The pandemic has been tough on Australia’s children, young people, and their families. We know that children and young people are struggling with their mental health, that young people have suffered job losses and financial hardship, and that families are under pressure. UNICEF Australia has a vision where every child & young person is healthy, educated, respected, protected and involved, and we are calling on all sides of politics to make this vision a reality.

We need Australia’s decision makers to take these crucial first steps:

A future planned by and for youth

Create a National Youth Advisory Council to give young people a direct link to government.

Improved access to early childhood education and care and wellbeing for families

Lift the Child Care Subsidy rate to 90% and increase Paid Parental Leave to 26 weeks with ‘use it or lose it’ rules.

Better mental health

Fund full implementation of the National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and improve access to mental health support from allied health professionals.

Reduced youth unemployment

Create targeted employment pathways and flexible training opportunities for young people.

Action on disasters and climate change

Develop child-centric disaster frameworks, fund mental health support to help recovery from natural disasters, and commit to ambitious emissions reduction.

Global pandemic recovery

Fund support for girls in low income countries who have lost learning.

View a Vote4Kids one-page summary for further information.

UNICEF's work in Australia

Here are just some of the ways that UNICEF Australia and its partners work to address the critical needs of young people.

Children in crisis: bushfire response

Youth voices

Children in crisis: response to drought

Children’s voices in a changing world