In a statement for the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, the Bishops’ Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service made a plea for “intergenerational solidarity” with young jobseekers and called on the faithful to “stand with young people, not apart from them”.
Chair of the Commission, Bishop Tim Harris, noted that youth unemployment remains significantly higher than the national average in Australia.
“We are living through a period of rapid transformation. Artificial intelligence and new technologies are reshaping industries and redefining the nature of work. Many young people are entering jobs that are casual or short-term, digitally managed, and uncertain in their long-term prospects,” he warned.
Referring to Pope Leo XIV’s comments on the challenges of the technological age, especially the rise of artificial intelligence, he said that while these developments offer new opportunities, they also raise important questions about the future of work and the place of the human person within it.
“We are reminded that the economy must serve the person, not the person the economy.”
“Many young people experience underemployment – wanting more hours or more secure work than they are able to find,” Bishop Harris highlighted. Youth unemployment, he stressed, remains significantly higher than the national average, at around 10.4 percent.
Recent data from the Australian Youth Barometer has shown that 85 per cent of young people in Australia experienced financial insecurity in the past year; around two-thirds are underemployed; and nearly half have experienced unemployment within a year.
For many young people in Australia today, work does not yet provide stability or a clear pathway forward.
Unemployment, the Bishop stressed, “shapes how young people see themselves and their future. It influences decisions about study, housing, relationships and family life. It can bring anxiety and uncertainty at a time when hope should be growing.”
“Work is more than a means of earning a living. It is fundamental to human dignity and participation in society. Work is part of God’s plan for human flourishing.”
On the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, he appealed to the faithful to pray for young people seeking work, for those experiencing insecurity or uncertainty, and for those who feel excluded or discouraged.
St Joseph, he said, “stands before us as a model of faithful work”.
The Bishop of Townsville in Queensland told the faithful that young people today need mentors in families, workplaces, parishes, and communities – people who will walk alongside them, offering encouragement and direction.
“This is a call to intergenerational solidarity: to stand with young people, not apart from them.
He also referred to research from the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute which has shown that young people experiencing financial hardship often report lower levels of belonging and social connection.
“When work is insecure or unavailable, the consequences are profound: a weakened sense of belonging, increased stress and mental health challenges, and a diminished sense of hope. These are not only economic concerns — they are human and spiritual concerns. As a Church, we are called to recognise and respond to them,” he said.
Work, Bishop Harris said, is more than a means of earning a living. It is fundamental to human dignity and participation in society.
“Young people bring energy, creativity, and a deep desire to contribute. They are not only the future – they are already shaping the present.”
But the challenges facing young people today require a shared response.
“Employers,” he said are called to provide “fair wages, secure conditions, and meaningful opportunities. Governments are called to ensure policies that protect workers and promote participation.
“Communities and parishes are called to accompany young people with care and encouragement. Families are called to nurture hope, resilience, and purpose. Together, we can build a society where work truly reflects the dignity of every person.”
Bishop Harris also suggested that as the world of work changes, “so too must our understanding of what is needed to flourish within it. Skills are important, but they are not enough. Young people also need formation in values – integrity, responsibility, compassion, and a commitment to the common good.
“While innovation can bring many benefits, it must not come at the expense of dignity. We must ask: does this work provide stability? Does it respect the person? Does it allow young people to build a future? Secure and meaningful work is essential. Without it, individuals struggle to flourish and to participate fully in society.”
In this changing work environment, Bishop Harris said it was vital that society recognise and promote diverse pathways into work.
Apprenticeships, trades, and technical vocations are “essential” to our society and deserve greater recognition and support.
“St Joseph himself was a tradesman. His work was not secondary, it was central to his vocation and his service to God. We must encourage young people to pursue pathways that reflect their gifts and aspirations, and ensure these pathways are accessible, supported, and respected,” he said.