YOUNG Australians are facing an employment crisis with half of all businesses indicating they have no plans to hire anyone under the age of 25 in the next two years.

A Newspoll survey of 401 business managers, across major industries including retail, construction, banking and mining, has found 49.5 per cent of companies have no plans to hire a young worker with little to no experience anytime over the next two years.

REPORT: Young Australians are 4.5 times more likely to be unemployed

ON THE RISE: Australian youth unemployment

Another four per cent of companies remain unsure if they will be in a position to take on a young worker, according to the research which was commissioned by the National Australia Bank.

The Newspoll data comes as the unemployment rate for Australians aged 15 to 24 this week climbed to 14.5 per cent — its highest level since 2001, sparking calls for urgent action to help address the joblessness crisis for young people.

The Smith Family’s chief executive Lisa O’Brien said it was clear more needed to be done to help young people avoid unemployment before they leave school and find themselves on income support.

“The time has long passed when we could safely assume that a burgeoning economy would provide opportunities for school leavers and graduates in their droves,” Dr O’Brien said.

But the National Australia Bank’s group executive for people, communications and governance Michaela Healey said despite the worsening outlook, jobs were out there for young Australians in many of the industries in which they want to work.

“There are opportunities out there for young people if they look in the right places — with Australian businesses ready and willing to back young people,” Ms Healy said.

“We need to work together to create more opportunities for young Australians, to build a prosperous future,” she said, pointing to the success the bank has had in helping young people find work through its participation in Work Inspiration, a program which provides young people with relevant work experience.

The Newspoll data shows that in the property, banking and manufacturing industries, a majority of managers surveyed said they had no intention to hire a young person in the next two years.

But most managers in the accommodation, retail, health and community services, construction and entertainment industries, said they intended to take on a young worker with limited experience.

Retail entrepreneur and Harvey Norman chairman Gerry Harvey said his retail chain hires significant numbers of young Aussies.

But he urged high school, university and TAFE leavers not to idly wait around for their dream job.

“If you haven’t got a job, I think you should do anything, you might think it’s a dead end job, but it might not be, it might lead to the next opportunity,” he said.