Youth advocacy

We are a statutory authority of the Queensland Government. We monitor the performance and effectiveness of Queensland’s child protection and youth justice systems. Our vision is that every Queensland child is loved, respected and has their rights upheld.

To fulfil our duties, vision and to influence systemic change, it is crucial that we hear the voices of Queensland children, young people and their families, we amplify their views, and we collaborate with them. 

Youth advocacy helps us to understand what is happening for young Queenslanders and to help us in our role to influence change.

We do youth advocacy in many ways. We:

• consult and collaborate with young people and youth groups from all over Queensland
• promote youth participation
• work with other youth organisations
• support other organisations to do youth participation.

If you want to learn more about the work we do:

• check out our About us webpage and our strategic plan
• sign up to our Amplify newsletter to keep up to date with opportunities
• read about our annual Youth Summit
• learn more about youth participation in our Model of participation.

• National Office for Youth | Australia | Supports young people to connect with government. Works with Ministers and government agencies on policies and programs that affect young people.
• State Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) | Queensland | A multi-stage leadership program focused on adventure-based learning. Helps young people build confidence, resilience and practical life skills.

• eSafety Youth Advisory Council | Australia | Provides young people with the opportunity to share their experiences and insights about online safety with the eSafety Commissioner and government.

• Creative Industries Youth Advisory Group | Australia | Helps shape Australia’s National Cultural Policy by providing youth perspectives on creative industries.

• Young People Ahead Youth Advisory Group | Mount Isa | Builds community partnerships and promotes positive outcomes for young people and families.
• ICYS Ipswich Community Youth Service Inc  | Ipswich | Provides assistance and support to at-risk young people, their families and communities.
• Innisfail Youth and Family Care Inc | Innisfail and Cairns | Offers recreational activities and emergency accommodation for young people.
• Queensland Youth Services Inc | Queensland | Delivers a range of youth support services across North Queensland.
• Redcliffe Area Youth Space Inc | Redcliffe | Provides services in behavioural and mental health, education, social inclusion and capacity building. 

• Queensland Youth Housing Coalition | Queensland | A state-wide advocacy organisation working to end youth homelessness.

• Climate Change and Water Youth Advisory Group (National Office for Youth) | Australia | Provides advice on increasing youth engagement and participation in UNFCCC processes and COP meetings.
• Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network (Australian Youth Climate Coalition) | Queensland | Australia’s first Indigenous youth climate network, led by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. 

• Foundation for Young Australians | Australia | Delivers programs that empower young people to lead change in their communities and beyond.
• PCYC Youth Leaders Program | Queensland | Supports and challenges young people to recognise and develop their leadership potential.
• Youth Leaders Program | Toowoomba | Connects young people with local communities, events, services and leadership opportunities.

• Queensland Action Group for LGBTIQ+ Students | Queensland | Advocates for LGBTQ+ students and their families through engagement with politicians, policymakers and parliamentary inquiries.

• National Office for Youth - First Nations Youth Advisory Group | Australia | Provides advice on government initiatives affecting First Nations young people, including early years education programs.

• Multicultural Youth Queensland (MyQ) | Queensland | A platform for advocacy, leadership and change for young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
• Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN) | Australia | Supports young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds to represent their rights and interests nationally and internationally.
• QPASTT - Youth Voice | Queensland | Promotes human rights and social justice through youth leadership, advocacy and representation.

• Young Consultants Speak Up program (CREATE Foundation) | Queensland | An empowerment program that builds confidence and supports young people with care experience to advocate for themselves.

• Bravehearts Youth Advisory Council | Australia | Provides young perspectives to inform the work of Bravehearts and sector partners.

• headspace Youth Reference Group | Queensland | Ensures new headspace initiatives positively impact young people and that resources are used effectively.
• Orygen Youth Advisory Council | Australia | Advises Orygen on implementing its strategic plan and improving youth mental health services.

Many local councils across Queensland have youth councils or advisory groups. These groups allow young people to raise issues, contribute ideas and influence local decision-making.

• Blackwater, Emerald, Springsure, and Capella | Youthinc Groups | The ‘Hub of Opportunity’ is an online source of community-based projects and opportunities.
• Bundaberg |  Youth Development Action Team | YDAT was created to work in partnership with Bundaberg Regional Council to assist in identifying issues the young people of the region are experiencing.
• Brisbane | Lord Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council | LMYAC delegates act as representatives of their school and community and are a voice for raising issues or sharing ideas that affect young people.
• Cook Town | Cook Shire Youth Council | Share your ideas, collaborate with others, and make a real impact on the issues that matter to you!
• Fraser Coast | Youth Advisory Council | Work in partnership with youth and community organisations to provide strategic advice and capacity building that encourages young people's participation in the community.
• Gladstone | Region Youth Council | Formal advisory committee to Council on youth-related matters within the region.
• Gold Coast | Junior Council (Year 10) | A civic leadership program aimed at Year 10 and 11 students from Gold Coast high schools.
• Ipswich | Youth Advisory Council | Council members come together to raise issues and share ideas that affect young people.
• Logan | Youth Action Group | The group plays an active role in ensuring the needs of our city’s young people are heard, while also turning ideas into exciting community projects.
• Scenic Rim | Regional Council Youth Leadership Program | Council members develop their self-awareness, leadership skills and their ability to collaborate in a group working environment.
• South Burnett | Youth Council | Young people who want to have a greater say and help build a strong and inclusive community.
• Southern Downs | Southern Downs Youth Council | Meet regularly and advocate for the needs of the young people by organising youth and community events, taking part in leadership forums and self-development activities.
• Sunshine Coast | Young Leaders Academy | A year long program with the aim to inspire and create a diverse, honest and authentic group to achieve community action.
• Tablelands | Regional Council Youth Advisory Council | To identify opportunities for building economic and social capacity, growing youth services and engaging youth as key stakeholders in their future.
• Torres Strait | Torres Shire Youth Council | Members can run for Junior Mayor, Deputy Junior Mayor and the position of Secretary and experience leadership roles in the wider community.
• Toowoomba | Regional Youth Advisory Committee | Supports young people in the community.
• Yepoon | Livingstone Shire Council Youth Action Group | Young people work with staff to discuss local concerns and potential solutions. Each term the group design and deliver a community project/event that addresses a concern or need.