The largest annual youth survey has revealed concerns over the economy and future job prospects are still the biggest worries for young Australians.

Mission Australia asked nearly 15,000 young people aged 15 to 19 about a wide range of topics, and found significant gender differences.

It found women are more concerned than men about body image, and handling school stress.

For the first time, young women have identified equity and discrimination as the number one issue facing the nation.

Mission Australia speculates that the fate of Julia Gillard, Australia's first female prime minister, may be part of the reason.

Melbourne student Georgia Lee, 16, says she found Ms Gillard's treatment in Parliament concerning.

"I still remember when Julia Gillard was elected, and I was personally excited. I thought we were going to have this major change, and that young women would be able to see her and use her as a role model," Ms Lee said.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 2 minutes 33 seconds 2 m 33 s Young women concerned about equity and discrimination: survey ( Norman Hermant ) Download 1.2 MB

"But then the treatment that she received, I did see it as a major step back."

Mission Australia's Kylee Bates says everything from the same-sex marriage debate to the hardening line on asylum seekers has created an atmosphere of diminishing social tolerance that has influenced young women.

"Clearly young women have seen a range of social discourse and discussion that has impacted their views," Ms Bates said.

"They're telling us that they're concerned about fairness and equity in our country."

Economic climate growing concern for young people

For the second year in a row, the overall concern for young women and men was the economy and future job prospects.

More than one-quarter of respondents said that was the number one issue facing the country.

James Pullin, 17, says unlike the stereotype that so-called 'millennials' have a feeling of entitlement, most of his friends are bracing for a tough job market.

He says the key belief amongst his peers is to stay flexible in an economy where young people are struggling.

"Australia as a country is definitely in a bit of a decline with manufacturing, new technologies not being adopted as well by us as a country," Mr Pullin said.

"So definitely, Australia needs to look into more job opportunities in these areas and making it easier."

Even heading into Year 12, young people are concerned over the economic landscape – especially when it comes to housing.

Alice Watson, 17, says her friends know it is going to be tough to eventually own a house like the one she grew up in.

"Yeah, we're a lot more realistic," Ms Watson said.

"Finding a house that's really nice, and really cheap, I think that's going to be hard to find."

Her friend Georgia Lee shares those concerns.

"I'm a little worried that it’s not going to pan out how I currently planned it to," she said.

"Not [having] a lot of prospects for a job that you'll love, that will pay well, I think it can be quite stressful."