ACT Youth Advisory Council
We give young people aged 12 to 25 a voice in the ACT Government and advise the Minister on issues that affect youth.
What we do
The Youth Advisory Council:
- meets and gives advice on youth issues to the Minister
- contributes to committees and consultations across ACT Government to represent the youth perspective
- engages with young people through the annual ACT Youth Assembly, meetings, surveys and other consultation
- raises awareness of young people's concerns, needs and aspirations.
Hear from members of the current Youth Advisory Council
Our members speak about what it means to be on the Youth Advisory Council.
Our members
Youth Advisory Council members are young people aged 12 to 25 who reflect the diversity of the ACT youth community. Our members include people of different genders and abilities, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Members serve a term of up to 2 years. We have regular intakes of new members. Nominations are promoted through schools, community organisation, the ACT Office for Youth Engagement newsletter and youth networks.
Serving on the council gives young people practical experience working with government and the community to influence change.
If you are passionate about creating change on issues you care about, please get in touch with the Office for Youth Engagement.
Register for other consultation opportunities
Want to stay in touch to share your views on ACT Government consultations between Assemblies? If you’re comfortable providing your contact information, we may reach out throughout the year with surveys, polls or to let you know about consultations. Your participation will help ensure we hear from a wide range of voices, including yours.
If you would like to be contacted about future ACT Government consultation opportunities, you can fill out the online form.
Documents
Terms of reference
Our Terms of Reference sets out our membership and the roles and responsibilities of the Council.
Youth Advisory Council Terms of Reference
Youth issues
The ACT Youth Advisory Council creates materials that reflect the collective views of young people gathered through consultation and engagement activities. These materials are intended to inform government decision making and raise awareness of issues affecting young people.
Coercive control
This paper explains how coercive control affects young people. It shares their views on plans to make coercive control against the law, including when it happens online.
Position Paper: The ACT Youth Advisory Council’s Position on Criminalising Coercive Control [PDF 264kB]
Consent
The council made this booklet about respectful relationships, consent and where to find support services in the ACT.
Consent: a hot topic [PDF 458kB]
For information and resources about consent visit Affirmative Consent.
Online safety
The council responded to the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024. The Bill outlines young people’s perspectives on online safety, privacy, and social media use.
Social Media Position Statement [PDF 264kB]
Youth Assembly
The council supports the delivery of the ACT Youth Assembly.
Find reports, resources, and insights developed through past ACT Youth Assemblies.
ACT Youth Assembly Publications
Contact us
Email
ACTYAC@act.gov.au
Related information
Visit the Office for Youth Engagement
Find out about your rights and support available to young people in the ACT