Key Points
- Gen Z and Millennials now form the largest voting bloc in Australia, and many come from multicultural backgrounds.
- First-time voters stress the importance of involving young migrants in policy-making to ensure their voices are heard.
- Advocates call for mental health education in schools and accessible local leadership.
Afghan-born Arozoo Rahimi, who arrived in Australia as a refugee in 2018, is looking forward to undertaking her civic duty as a first-time voter.
The youth leader and advocate participates in community initiatives through the , while balancing her health science studies and work as a dental assistant.
Arozoo Rahimi. Credit: Sam Biddle
From an early age, she acted as the family’s translator, helping with paperwork and caring for her younger siblings.
Now, she amplifies the voices of young migrants and refugees on issues like racism, employment, discrimination and education — areas where, she said, they often feel excluded from national conversations.
When I see someone in Parliament speaking about our issues without having lived our experiences, it discourages me from engaging with politics.Arozoo Rahimi
"When I first arrived in Australia, I had to learn a lot, but also unlearn many things I grew up with, like the stigma around mental health. Here, I learned that it's okay to talk about your mental health. As the motto of R U OK? Day says, ‘It’s okay not to be okay." she told SBS Persian.
This federal election, Gen Z (born after 1996) and Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) will account for nearly 50 per cent of the electorate, with many coming from multicultural backgrounds.
But Rahimi shared her concern that the voices of multicultural youth are still being overlooked.
"They (politicians) make decisions about us, but without us," she said.
Her priorities include more multicultural representation in leadership and urgent action on racism and discrimination, especially in schools.
“Students need to be made aware of what their culturally diverse peers go through,” she said.
Arozoo Rahimi is studying health science while also working as a dental assistant. Credit: Fountain Gate Secondary College
“There should be someone who walks the talk, not just talks the talk.”
From displacement to determination
Lena Nabizada, another first-time voter, shares Rahimi’s passion for change.
She moved to Melbourne from the small Queensland town of Toowoomba, having migrated to Australia at the age of eight after spending a few years in Pakistan.
Lena Nabizada at the National Youth Policy Launch by MYAN. Credit: Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN)
"As a migrant living in a small town like Toowoomba, where there weren’t many people from multicultural backgrounds like mine, I saw how limited awareness can lead to unintentional discrimination and racism — and how hard it can be to access the right education and support,” she explained.
“To create real change, they need to engage directly with those communities, listen to young people in their own spaces, and give them a voice in decision-making."
Lena Nabizada, together with her peers at the National Youth Policy Launch. Credit: Ishani Buff - Ishani Photography
There are already so many young leaders doing impactful work at the grassroots level. What’s missing is long-term support and political will.Lena Nabizada
Another important issue for Nabizada ahead of the election is climate change.
“I’m thinking about climate change. Australia has the resources and expertise. What we need is action,” she said.
Shared struggles and common ground
Rahimi and Nabizada share similar frustrations when it comes to systemic racism and the lack of accessible English language support for refugees.
“Sometimes, you have to wait up to eight months just to get into a government-funded English course,” Nabizada explained.
“In the meantime, many newly arrived refugees struggle to communicate even basic needs, which affects every part of their daily life.”
They also shared stories of discrimination in education and career guidance:
Some of us were told we weren’t suited for certain careers, like becoming medical doctors, and were pushed toward ‘easier’ options like nursing instead. It’s disheartening.Arozoo Rahimi
Yet they also highlight stories of resilience, such as a friend now in her final year of medical school who regularly shares her journey at youth events.
“She proves we are more than capable when given the chance.”
Listening isn’t enough
Rana Ebrahimi, National Manager of the , reinforces the need for systemic change. Her organisation brings a national perspective to the challenges multicultural youth face.
Young people don’t just need to be heard; they need to be involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives.Rana Ebrahimi
“Those with lived experience are best placed to inform policy. Yet too often, they’re brought in as an afterthought instead of a central voice.”
Rana Ebrahimi National Manager of the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN). Credit: Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN)
“We need to build services that reflect the diversity and complexity of young people’s lives. Otherwise, the help they need may never truly reach them.”
Ebrahimi said this year's MYAN requests of the government are clear: strengthening youth leadership through genuine co-design, improving digital safety and inclusion, and ensuring national policies reflect the lived experiences of diverse young Australians.
Rana Ebrahimi, advocating for youth voices in policy-making. Credit: Ishani Buff - Ishani Photography
“We can't design a system for them without them.”
Breaking stigmas, building connections
Michelle Kleinert, former Mayor of Manningham in Victoria and a mental health instructor, brings years of experience in both local government and community advocacy.
She has direct experience of how the stigma of mental health continues to silence young people, particularly within multicultural communities.
“In many cultures, mental health is a taboo topic. And if young people don’t understand the Australian support systems, that unknown becomes a barrier to seeking help,” she said.
Kleinert recommends two key government actions to support mental health in multicultural youth: integrating mental health into school curricula and improving access to local leadership.
Michelle Kleinert. Credit: Fiona Huber Photography
“Local government is the closest to the people. Leaders should be accessible and help connect individuals with the services they need.”
Kleinert also encourages young migrants to actively build connections in their new country, especially through language.
"We need to encourage young people to do ask for help, read books, find good people, and look for community ‘connectors’."
She urged young people to take their concerns to their local representatives:
“Find your local minister and share your story. Ask if they have any plan to improve the mental health system and invest in youth programs. A good politician will listen, and respond.”
Through her work with Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA), Kleinert aims to empower multicultural youth to take charge of their mental well-being.
According to her, education is key, for society at large and young immigrants, when it comes to understanding and dealing with racism.
"They need to understand that racism isn’t personal. Often, the person being racist is just looking for a target. With education, they can build resilience and better protect their mental health."
The younger generation needs to understand politics, because their vote matters and comes with responsibility. It’s a right that shouldn’t be taken for granted.Michelle Kleinert
Kleinert emphasised to multicultural communities struggling with mental health that they’re not alone.
“There are people everywhere facing similar challenges,” she said.
“Reach out to someone you know cares and ask for help, because there’s always someone who does.
"Think about it this way: if someone you love needed support, you’d be there for them, right? So let others be there for you too.”
Looking ahead
Together, Rahimi, Nabizada and others like them represent a generation determined to be heard, not just during elections, but every day.
Rana Ebrahimi with youth leaders at FUSE National Youth Leadership Summit. Credit: Tom Saunders - Big Idea Media
“We, as young people, are powerful,” Nabizada added. “We’re building a future we want, and we’re hopeful that we’ll have a seat at the table.”
