"People sit there and expect young people to be on Centrelink, and that's just not the case, I don't want to be on Centrelink."

Taylor Bailey, 18, is an aspiring undertaker. She's worked for free, she's worked full time, and she's worked casually, but she says the reason she can't get permanent work is employers won't take her seriously.

Taylor Bailey (centre), 18, says she is tired of being stereotyped because she is young and unemployed. Credit:Justin McManus

"I want to work in the funeral industry, and I've got quite a bit of experience there, but things don't always line up properly," she said.

"I was employed but they had to let me go. I think they thought 'she's new, she's young, so we can get rid of her'. I know I've got a lot of skills and experience in different industries but it's difficult to find an employer that's going to take on a young person."