Mr Field said the budget “must invest in supporting young people getting into work on the South Coast”.

The youth unemployment rate for the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands currently sits at 23.7 per cent, well above the national average of 12 per cent, according to Labour Force statistics. 

This is a slight improvement on the March youth unemployment rate in the area, which sat at 24.1 per cent.

The youth unemployment rate in the area was at its lowest from May 2014 to February 2015 when it fluctuated between 8.4 per cent and 11.2 per cent, below the nation average.

The total number of employed people has fallen 10.8 per cent since October 2016, representing a reduction of people in work in the region.

The participation rate that down to 46.4 per cent. This compared to a state wide average of 63.5 per cent and a regional NSW average of 59.1 per cent.

Mr Field said the statistics were “unacceptable” and urged the state government to address the issue.

"We need a contribution in next month's state budget to turn work to restore hope for young people across the region,” he said. 

"The statistics are showing some significant trends that paint an economically challenging time for the region.

"More than half working aged adults on the South Coast have left the labour market. They are not working or looking for work.”

Mr Field said the economic base of the region is built on a smaller and smaller number of people, despite a growing population.

He said more needed to be known about what was driving the statistics. 

"It is shocking to think that almost one in four young people cannot get a job.”

Although the Illawarra Youth Employment Strategy is less than one year old, Mr Field hoped it was successful but said it was clear the situation was not getting better on the South Coast.

“The conditions on the South Coast are quite different from the Illawarra and it is time for a local solution,” he said.

"We need resources to do that and I'm calling on South Coast MP Shelly Hancock to make representations to the treasurer and ensure the region gets financial support to turn these figures around.”