Micro party Senator Ricky Muir has revealed “crushing” details of his childhood to support young Australians who, like him, struggle to find work.

One-fifth of the unemployed are teenagers, new data has revealed, prompting the Motoring Enthusiast politician to speak out.

At the age of 15, the Senator became “desperate” to find employment after leaving school and moving out of home, describing the process as “soul-destroying”.

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“At times, tears were shed. I did not have the financial support of my parents who were facing their own challenges, so I had to rely on Centrelink payments for more than a year.”

The Senator from rural Victoria has shared the story publicly for the first time as part a Brotherhood of St Laurence campaign, debunking the ‘myth’ that young people are lazy.

“That’s a lazy stereotype and does not fit the young unemployed people I talk to,” he wrote. “I couldn’t catch a break for a long time.”

“I tried hard, but I still found it tough to get work as an early school-leaver without work experience, qualifications or personal contacts.”

Finding work is even harder for teenagers raised in country towns like Muir.

Other options aside from a university degree are needed, he said, as every young person has different strengths and needs.

“My message to policy makers is to put themselves in the shoes of the young people looking for work.

“My life experiences have taught me – the hard way – that unemployment is a big challenge in the community. Young people without work experience, skills or qualifications are particularly hit in tough economic times.

“Youth unemployment is a local and a national problem that we need to respond to, and the Youth Unemployment Monitor published by the Brotherhood of St Laurence… should serve as a wake-up call to everyone.

“We can’t afford as an economy, let alone a society, to crush the hopes of the next generation.”

On Monday, the Brotherhood of St Laurence released its January analysis of unemployment data, accompanied by the foreword from Senator Muir.