This first annual report by the Dusseldorp Skills Forum on the situation of young Australians provides a national perspective on developments that have affected 15-19 year olds during the 1990s. An overview chapter, "Youth: The Rhetoric and the Reality of the 1990s" (Richard Sweet), addresses these topics: education-work transition; the labor market and youth; vocational education and training and youth; national targets; and building bridges from insecure to secure employment. "Rapporteur's Observations" (Meredith Edwards) addresses issues generally, some concerns expressed, and some possible policy directions. "The Labor Market for Young Australians" (Mark Wooden) provides a statistical overview of the labor market for teenagers drawing primarily on labor force survey data."School Participation, Retention, and Outcomes" (John Ainley) addresses the decline in school completion, characteristics of secondary school completers, and destinations of school leavers. "Young People's Participation in and Outcomes from Vocational Education" (Chris Robinson, Katrina Ball) offers a profile of 15-19 year olds in the vocational education sector from 1990-96 and of apprentices and trainees and describes factors affecting uptake of apprenticeships and traineeships. "Young Peoples' Participation in Higher Education" (Simon Marginson) addresses changes in enrollments and participation rates. "Young People and Labor Market Disadvantage: The Situation of Young People Not in Education or Full-Time Work" (Alison McClelland, Helen MacDonald, Fiona MacDonald) examines the young people engaged in marginal activities who may face limited choices about their job and income situation in the future. "Youth Incomes" (John Landt, Phillip Scott) examines incomes of 15-19 year olds in 1994-95, using the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics survey. "Expenditure on Education and Training: Estimates by Sector and Course" (Gerald Burke) provides an overview of aggregate and sector expenditures. Three brief commentaries represent an initial response from key organizations in the community sector, labor movement, and business to the seven papers. An executive summary is attached. (YLB)