Australian Bureau of Statistics data were used to analyze suicide trends between 1907-90 in young people aged 15-24 years. An in-depth study of youth suicides between 1980-90 was also done. Results show a steady increase in male, but not female, youth suicide both in Victoria & in Australia as a whole since 1960. There were significant differences in age, sex & area of residence in both rate & the method of suicide. The reasons for the increase in youth suicide remain obscure. (12 refs.)