Whatever the level of qualification, first experiences on the labour market have a profound influence on later working life. Getting off to a good start facilitates integration and lays the foundation for a good career, while a failure can be difficult to make up. This report contains - for Australia - a survey of the main barriers to employment for young people, an assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of existing measures to improve the transition from school-to-work, as well as a set of policy recommendations for further action. Table of Content : Summary and Main Recommendations Introduction Chapter 1. The Challenge Ahead -1. Demographics and Major Labour Market Outcomes -2. Transition from School to Work -3. Key Points Chapter 2. Initial Education and On-the-Job Training -1. The Provision of Education Services: A Complex Pattern of Responsibilities -2. Performance of the Education System -3. Strategies to Improve Educational Attainment -4. Between School and Work -5. Job-Related Training -6. Key Points Chapter 3. Demand-Side Opportunities and Barriers -1. Australia's Labour Market -2. Youth unemployment and the Business Cycle -3. Starting Wages and Labour Relations -4. Non-Wage Costs and Other Barriers to Employment -5. Moving Up the Wage Ladder, Low-Pay Persistence? -6. Wage Discrimination? -7. Key Points Chapter 4. The Role of Welfare and Activation Policies -1. Income Support in Australia -2. Statistical Evidence about Youth on Income Support -3. The 2008-09 Reforms by the Labour Government -4. Key Points Bibliography