As we begin welcoming our newest members, we also want to recognise the tremendous work of some of our groups wrapping up their time with us.
Thank you to our wonderful, fantastic, brilliant 2025 Creative Industries, Civic Engagement, First Nations, and Prevention of Gender-Based Violence Youth Advisory Groups.
Our Youth Advisory Groups work with Ministers and government agencies on policies and programs that affect young people – our Creative Industries group partnered with the Office for the Arts, Civic Engagement partnered with the Department of Home Affairs, First Nations partnered with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Prevention of Gender Based Violence group partnered with the Department of Social Services.
Representatives are aged 16 to 25 years old.
Last year, each group worked on various projects and contributed to the delivery of important initiatives and strategies. Some key highlights include:
First Nations Youth Advisory Group
- Helped shape relevant and interactive youth stream of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Summit.
- Improved AIATSIS’ draft Collections Access and Use Policy by providing clearer definitions, suggesting more frequent reviews, and including explicit recognition of First Nations access rights.
- Informed several improvements to the Your Career website.
The First Nations Youth Advisory Group continues their work with AIATSIS in 2026, welcoming some new members to continue the important work our 2025 group – check out their profiles!
Creative Industries Youth Advisory Group
- Contributed to improving access to the arts, particularly for regional communities – recommendations included travel support, creative hubs and mentorship opportunities.
- Provided advice to support sustainable careers for young people in the creative industries, highlighting the need for micro-credentials, strengthening arts education and addressing skills gaps.
- Helped inform strategies to increase young people’s engagement in reading.
Prevention of Gender-Based Violence Youth Advisory Group
- Provided a critical youth perspective on initiatives focused on early intervention, response, recovery and healing.
- Elevated awareness of young people’s barriers to seek help, navigate services, and safety.
- Highlighted ways to make services and resources more accessible, culturally safe, trauma-informed, inclusive and youth-friendly.
Civic Engagement Youth Advisory Group
- Prepared a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, recommending stronger civic and media literacy education. Members also gave evidence at a public hearing.
- Contributed to the Museum of Australian Democracy’s Democracy in a Box education resource.
- Advised the National Resilience Taskforce on boosting youth volunteering in complex emergencies.
Without you, the youth perspective wouldn’t have been represented in key pieces of work for the Australin Government. Thank you for your advice and giving us your time!
We asked our outgoing members to reflect on their time with the Office for Youth. Some of their key highlights as members of the Youth Advisory Groups include:
- “Getting to contribute to government policy by appearing in front of a parliamentary committee.” - Kuba
- “Meeting amazing staff and even more amazing young people!” - Adriel
- “I loved the ministerial meetings as we had the opportunity to discuss pertinent issues firsthand with our representatives in parliament.” - Alya
- “What I enjoyed most about being in the Creative Industries YAG through the Office for Youth was getting the opportunity to connect with other young creatives from across the country. Hearing about everyone's different practices and creative insights was beyond valuable.” - Max