Young Australians Take National Music Plan to Canberra

The Push has led a new National Plan for Young Australians and Music, calling for stronger national infrastructure to enable all young people to participate in music.

The youth music charity co-designed the initiative with young people from across Australia, as well as artists, educators, industry, and government. The ten-year roadmap advocates that music be treated as a public necessity, not a 'nice to have' - especially as young people have become restricted online with Australia's social media reform.

Whilst it is helping to protect young people from online harm, it removes primary pathways to access music, community and culture. Research conducted by The Push and YouGov found that 72% of young people believe access to live music is essential for staying connected in a post-social media environment.

Kate Duncan, CEO of The Push said: “For too long, access to music for young Australians has been left to chance -  we build consistent national pathways in sport, so let’s back music with the same level of clarity and coordination.”

A delegation of 30 young people aged 16-25 from across Australia travelled to Canberra to launch the National Plan for Young Australians and Music. Their plan outlines an intentionally designed and nationally coordinated approach to back music as an essential tool that builds confidence and identity, and fosters community and culture for young people.

Alongside the National Plan, The Push has submitted a $13.4 million budget request to the Australian Government to continue to deliver all-ages live music experiences, school tours and career pathways for over 160,000 young Australians.

Tony Burke, Minister for the Arts, said: “The Push’s new National Plan provides a clear message: your age, background, where you live or where you go to school, should not dictate your ability to access and participate in music. Music was like oxygen for me growing up - it is a core connector for young people to express themselves, and find their place in the world.”

Former The Push mentee, Marcke De Vera, concluded: “Access to music and awareness of the music industry is often unattainable to young people, especially those not already embedded in creative circles or without personal connections.

“The Push’s National Plan is a necessity in bridging that gap, by providing young people not just with insight, but with the direction and real-world experience to turn their passion into a career."

Read the National Plan for Young Australians and Music here.