Preparing for adulthood Snapshots

Average hours worked

In 2017 in South Australia, the average number of weekly hours worked by:

• all employed 17 year olds was 12.6, a decrease from 2005 (17.8). In 2017, employed 17 year olds in South Australia worked fewer hours per week than the national average (14.0).
• employed Aboriginal 17 year olds was 14.7 hours, a decrease from 2005 (21.8).

Tracking the same cohort of young people in South Australia from 2009 (15 years) to 2018 (24 years), the average hours worked per week by employed young people start from 11.4 at 15 years, increasing to 21.8 at 18 years, dropping slightly to 21.6 at 20 years and increasing to 34.6 at 24 years.

Young people participating in volunteering

In 2016, 21% of 15-19 year olds participated in volunteering in the previous 12 months. This is an increase from 17% in both 2006 and 2011.

Young people in country South Australia are more likely to volunteer than young people in metropolitan Adelaide. In 2016, 25% of young people aged 15-19 years in Country SA volunteered compared to 20% of 15-19 year olds living in metropolitan Adelaide.

In 2016, the proportion of Aboriginal young people aged 15-19 years who volunteered in the previous 12 months was 13%. This increased from 10% in both 2006 and 2011.

Enrolled to vote

Young people can vote when they turn 18. Most enrol just before a state or federal election but enrolment is open to all 16 year olds.

The maps show how many 16 and 17 year olds, and 18 and 19 year olds, are enrolled to vote in each federal electorate in South Australia according to the Australian Electoral Commission.

Using the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated resident population, and the total number of people enrolled to vote state wide, it is possible to calculate the proportion of 16 and 17 year olds that are enrolled to vote in South Australia and nationally.