Want to have your say? If you are a young person in Australia aged 12 to 25 and you would like to engage with government on issues that are important to you then you are in the right place!
Join a Youth Advisory Group
Applications are now open for the 2026 Youth Advisory Groups!
We run Youth Advisory Groups to support young people to connect with government. They work with Ministers and government agencies on policies and programs that affect young people.
Applications are open from Wednesday 1 October to Sunday 26 October 2025 for young people aged 16 to 24.
We’ll let you know the outcome of your application in early 2026.
2026 Youth Advisory Groups application form
In 2026 we will have 5 Youth Advisory Groups, which are:
- Working with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
- The Climate Change and Water Youth Advisory Group will assist on projects such as climate change adaptation, and a national water agreement.
- Working with the Department of Home Affairs
- The Countering Foreign Interference Youth Advisory Group will look at how foreign interference affects young people through different communities, universities, and social media. Members will also help create tools that start important conversations and make it easier to report.
- Working with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)
- The First Nations Youth Advisory Group will help shape a new national cultural precinct led by AIATSIS that celebrates the stories, knowledge, and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Working with the National Mental Health Commission
- The Mental Health Youth Advisory Group will work to co-create a resource that helps reduce stigma and discrimination, encourages safe and open chats about mental health, and supports young people in seeking help when they need.
- Working with the Australian Sports Commission
- The Sports Participation Youth Advisory Group will help influence how the national Play Well strategy is brought to life. You’ll get to share your ideas, give feedback, and help make sport safe, welcoming, inclusive and fun for young people across the country.
We are recruiting for positions in the Countering Foreign Interference, First Nations, Mental Health and Sports Participation Youth Advisory Groups.
Tell me more!
We’ll be hosting an information session on Wednesday, 8 October at 5 pm to 6 pm AEDT.
During this session we’ll share more about the application process and answer your questions.
National Youth Survey!
Our National Youth Survey is now open! It aims to better understand:
- what issues matter most to young people in Australia
- how the government should include young people in decision-making.
Your feedback will help to shape Australian Government policies and programs and improve the way that government works with young people!
National Youth Consultations
We are running a series of national youth consultations to hear from you directly about issues that affect young people like you.
We want to know your thoughts on things like:
- cost of living
- mental and physical health
- housing affordability and access
- education and training.
Plus, any other big issues facing young people in your community.
This is a really good opportunity to have your say directly with government.
Where we’ll be going
We’re heading across the country from August to October. Check out our places and dates!
New South Wales
- Nowra, 4.30 to 6 pm (AEDT) on 7 October at Nowra Youth Centre – register to attend
- Batemans Bay, 4.30 to 6 pm (AEDT) on 8 October at Bay Pavilion – register to attend
- Bega, 4.30 to 6 pm (AEDT) on 9 October at Red Cross Tea Room – register to attend
Northern Territory
- Alice Springs, date and venue coming soon.
- Darwin, date and venue coming soon.
National virtual consultations
- 2 October at 4.30 to 6 pm (AEST) – register to attend.
- 14 October at 4.30 to 6 pm (AEDT)– register to attend.
- 16 October at 5 to 6.30 pm (AEDT) – register to attend.
Questions?
If you have any questions about our consultations, feel free to email us at youth@education.gov.au or get in touch on our social channels.
See you there!
Contact the Office for Youth
Get in touch with the Office for Youth at youth@education.gov.au or through our socials:
The Office for Youth supports young people to engage with their government to get the best outcomes for us.
Seb from Queensland