Participation in post-school education is increasingly common (see Chapter 4 ‘Pathways through
education and training’ and Chapter 4 ‘Tertiary education’). This can delay the commencement of
full-time employment and secure income, and increase the rates of part-time employment among
youth. Increased youth unemployment and underemployment following the global financial
crisis (GFC) of 2008 has created an additional challenge for youth navigating their transition to
independence, and affected their ability to achieve economic and residential autonomy, two major
cornerstones of independence. Increasing education participation, greater difficulty accessing
secure employment and increased housing costs means that young people often live in the parental
home for longer, which may result in the postponement of other life events, such as forming a stable
cohabiting partnership and having children (Aassve et al. 2013).