Australian Government - Australian Youth Forum

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need an AYF?

The Australian Government wants to give young people the chance to be directly involved in developing, shaping and influencing government policies by contributing their ideas. The AYF will provide a space open to all young Australians to contribute and be actively involved in issues of public debate. The Australian Government wants to harness the unique perspectives, useful insights and important opinions of young Australians. Young people are the best experts on young people’s lives.

How was the AYF developed?

The development of the AYF was based on the ideas and views of young people and representatives of the youth sector gathered during the formal consultation process that ran from March to the end of May 2008. National and international models of youth participation and engagement were also taken into consideration. Young people also discussed the development of the AYF as part of the Australian Government’s 2020 Youth Summit held in April this year.

Has the Prime Minister been involved in the development of the AYF?

The Prime Minister has made it clear that the Australian Government is committed to ensuring that young people are heard, that they are provided with opportunities to contribute their ideas and to engage directly with the Australian Government in the process of debating policies that affect all Australians. As the Minister for Youth, the Honourable Kate Ellis MP, had primary responsibility for the development of the AYF.

Is the AYF related to the recent 2020 Youth Summit?

The 2020 Youth Summit, held in April 2008, was the first step towards engaging young Australians in discussions about the nation’s future directions. During the 2020 Youth Summit Minister Ellis also consulted with delegates about the AYF, and their views were considered, along with the public consultation outcomes.

Who can get involved in the AYF?

All young Australians, aged 15-24, and youth sector organisations, can get involved in the AYF, regardless of who they are, where they live or what they do. The AYF website will provide opportunities for young people who may have been previously excluded, due to their location or situation, to participate in important discussions.

How can young people get involved in the AYF?

There are a number of ways to get involved. Young people and members of the youth sector can contribute through the website and post their ideas and comments on various topics online. Face-to-face events, activities and conferences will also happen in local areas. Young people can also be involved as members of the Youth Engagement Steering Committee, which helps set the direction and agenda for the AYF. Although the members of the inaugural Steering Committee have already been chosen for 2008-09, a process will be developed to allow other young Australians to participate on the committee in the future.

How can youth sector organisations get involved?

It is expected that the key aspect of youth sector engagement will be through the national youth peak body – the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC). AYAC will engage with youth sector organisations aiming at greater cooperation, coordination within the sector, and advocacy on behalf of young people.

What will be done with the ideas and contributions provided by young people through the AYF?

The outcomes of the AYF activities and online discussions will be analysed and fed through to the new Australian Government Office for Youth and the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition. The National Office for Youth works across all the Australian Government departments to create a greater focus on youth affairs. It will channel information from the AYF to the relevant Australian Government agencies to ensure the ideas and contributions provided by young people are taken into consideration in the context of Australian Government policy development. Feedback will be provided to the public on the AYF website, through the media and other forums.

Will anything be done to ensure that the AYF is not just for those young people who are already vocal and active?

The AYF aims to be inclusive for all young Australians. The AYF consultation process was undertaken in a way that young people from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and locations were able to provide their thoughts, views and opinions. The process was designed to ensure that many participants who had not previously been engaged with the Government were given the opportunity to be involved. The AYF will continue to build on this through the website, forums, outreach events and through the work of the Youth Engagement Steering Committee.

What is the purpose of the Youth Engagement Steering Committee?

The Youth Engagement Steering Committee will advise the Minister for Youth on the development of the AYF and its future activities. It will also advise the Minister on ways of involving young people who face particular obstacles to participation. For more detailed information on the Steering Committee, including its role, function and members, please visit the Steering Committee page.

Who are the members of the Steering Committee?

The 2008-09 Youth Engagement Steering Committee represents the diversity of young Australians, from regional and city areas, Indigenous and non-English speaking backgrounds, and from different states and territories. Of the 11 members of the Steering Committee, five are females and six are males. Members are aged from 16-24 years and live in regional and city centres in the ACT, VIC, NSW, SA and NT. Six members represent youth-led organisations, four are individual young people and a representative of the national youth peak is an ex-officio member on the Committee.

What is the youth sector?

The youth sector is the term given to organisations that work with, for and on behalf of young people. The youth sector can include anything from your local youth centre, to organisations like Mission Australia who run youth programs, to bodies such as the youth peak, the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC).

What is a peak body?

A peak body is made up of a number of organisations that provide services to a particular group. Peak bodies represent the interests of their sector (in this case the youth sector) at a state or national level. Many peaks have individuals as members as well as organisations. They provide a strong voice for the sector. The national youth peak body is the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC). In their role as the national youth peak, AYAC aims to:

‘…represent the rights and interests of young people at a national and international level, promote the well-being of young Australians, promote the fuller participation of young people in Australian society, and to provide policy advice to government and the broader community on issues affecting young people and the youth sector.’ (AYAC Website)