Young people’s experience of everyday legal problems in Victoria

Our research has revealed that young people aged 18 to 24 represent a significant cohort facing legal problems in Victoria. This overview is for policymakers, legal educators, and service providers who work with young people to inform strategies and service development.

Background

Our research, the Public Understanding of Law Survey (PULS), analysed how 6,008 Victorians understand, experience, and navigate everyday legal problems.

‍Everyday legal problems are problems people experience which involve rights or raise legal issues, whether or not this is recognised or the problem is acted upon. These problems can be related to housing, family, fines and government services. While problems are widespread and can be described as ‘everyday’, the impact they can have on people’s lives can be profound. 

The PULS can assist in understanding the legal capability and legal need of Victorians.  

Legal capability is the knowledge, skills, and attributes to decide whether and how to use the law and legal processes. The PULS has found that lower legal capability led to respondents having difficulty achieving outcomes they are happy with from legal services compared to those with higher levels of legal capability.  

Legal need is when a shortage of legal capability means that people can’t resolve their everyday legal problems and need help to achieve outcomes they are happy with. When a problem is not dealt with appropriately because effective legal support is not available, this is considered an unmet legal need.

What we found

We found that young people (aged 18-24) are more likely than older age groups to experience multiple legal problems at one time.  

Of the young people who reported problems, one in five (20%) reported more than five or more problems — the highest of any age group. Of those young respondents who experienced legal problems, 44% had unmet legal need.

The results show that many young people across Victoria are struggling to resolve their legal problems. We found that close to half of young people handled their problem alone or with help from friends and family rather than seeking legal assistance, suggesting a lack of legal capability.

Key research findings

• While young people reported the lowest rates of everyday legal problems, they were more likely to experience multiple legal problems simultaneously.

• Everyday legal problems with goods and services were the most common reported problem for young people (19%), followed by housing (11%) and employment (11%).

• Young people experienced the highest rate of employment problems compared to older age groups.  

• Legal need was unmet for 70% of the employment problems reported by young people, a much higher rate than PULS respondents overall.

• Young people were the least likely age group to recognise their problem as legal (only 19%).

• Young respondents were most likely to rely on family and friends for advice (20%) compared to all other age groups, than seek legal services.

• Young respondents presented higher rates of mental distress than any other age group, with over half (52%) reporting some level of mental distress at the time of interview.  

Implications and the way forward

Our findings suggest that targeted and tailored engagement with young people is necessary to increase awareness of their everyday legal problems and legal services.  

Download the related PULS publications to understand more about how young people experience everyday legal problems in Victoria to help inform policy, legal education, and service provision.

If you would like to know more about the results, purpose, and value of the PULS, you can access the full PULS reports.

You can also contact the Research team to help you better understand the PULS data in your context.

Where young people can go for help

If you or a young person you know may be experiencing a legal problem, help is available. Getting started can be difficult, but here’s some small steps to begin.

Better understand the problem

• ‍Victoria Legal Aid’s website helps to identify legal problems and provides guidance.  
• Fitzroy Legal Services offers a practical guide to using the law

Get legal advice for young people

There are dedicated legal assistance services for young people if they are eligible.

• Youth Law Australia provides free, confidential legal information & help for young people under 25.
• Young Workers Centre provide free advice and representation to young people under the age of 30 with employment law issues.
• ‍Youth Law Victoria is a free statewide community legal centre providing assistance to young people in Victoria.

Other legal advice

• You may be eligible for free legal advice from Victoria Legal Aid or from your local community legal centre
• Otherwise, you can seek help from a private lawyer using the Find Your Lawyer Referral Service.