We employ Youth Advocates, aged 14 to 25, on a casual basis to support and inform QFCC projects, policies and outcomes. We also facilitate opportunities for Youth Advocates to provide advice to other government and non-government agencies.
"Young people should be involved in decision making because these decisions also impact us. We are the next generation so we should be involved in this crucial process of decision making to benefit our current society and our future too."
-QFCC Youth Advocate Jessy, Child and Youth Participation Framework
What is a QFCC Youth Advocate?
A Youth Advocate is a young person living in Queensland aged 14 to 25 who is passionate about advocating for issues that are important to young Queenslanders. Youth Advocates come from a diversity of backgrounds and lived experiences.
The QFCC supports Youth Advocates as casual employees in recognition of their expertise and time.
Youth Advocates do not have a set work pattern or hours, they chose the participation opportunities they want to be involved in and have the flexibility to work around other commitments.
What does a Youth Advocate do?
Youth Advocates are vital to amplifying the voices and experiences of young Queenslanders and influencing decision makers on issues that impact young people. Some of the ways Youth Advocates do this is through:
- Providing advice to the QFCC on issues or topics that are important to young Queenslanders.
- Providing advice to government and non-government agencies on issues that are important to young people through meetings, workshops, policy submissions or other forms of content.
- Writing website and social media content about topics that young people are passionate about.
- Involvement in youth participation projects – this could include facilitating focus groups, chairing meetings, presenting to government officials (including ministers) or representing the QFCC at youth forums and events.
- Involvement in media activities that support your advocacy areas (e.g. radio interviews, newspaper articles and etc).
Youth Advocates work alongside other young people from diverse backgrounds.
The QFCC is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for Youth Advocates. All young people with diverse lived experience, cultures, abilities and backgrounds are invited to apply to be a Youth Advocate.
What is the QFCC?
The QFCC is a independent statutory body of the Queensland Government.
Our vision is that every Queensland child is loved, respected and has their rights upheld.
We influence systemic change by assessing the child protection system’s performance, collaborating for impact and amplifying the voices of Queensland children and their families. We do this in six ways:
- We monitor performance and identify changes that improve outcomes for children and their families.
- We produce authoritative analysis of complex social issues focused on generating awareness and solutions.
- We enable children, families and communities to contribute to discussions and decisions that impact their lives.
- We protect and promote child rights by building an everyday accountability for child rights.
- We support, connect and collaborate with organisations that advance the safety, rights and wellbeing of children.
- We value and invest in staff and continuously improve our systems and structures.
Check out our Strategic Plan 2022 – 2026 if you want to learn more about the work we do.
"Leaders should connect with and listen to First Nations young people because they have the power to make changes. These changes need to be based on what is happening right now, and what needs to be changed right now. They can turn our voices into action"
Youth Advocate, Child and Youth Participation Framework
Who do Youth Advocates work with?
Youth Advocates work primarily with the QFCC’s Youth Participation team but will also work with other QFCC staff members, government departments, non-government organisations and stakeholders. Any work you participate in with will be facilitated by members of the Youth Participation team.
As a Youth Advocate you are a member of a large group of passionate young people from across Queensland who want to create change and advocate for the needs of young people. You will have the opportunity to learn from young people with different backgrounds and lived experiences through your work as a Youth Advocate.
The QFCC supports young people from all locations across Queensland and we provide hybrid and online youth participation opportunities so all you need is an internet connection to get involved.
Yes – young people over the age of 14 can apply. If you are under the age of 18 we need your parent or legal guardian to consent to your casual employment at the QFCC. We recommend you complete the EOI Form and a member of our Youth Participation team can talk to you about your options.
Yes, young people who are 24 are encouraged to apply. The definition of a young person in Queensland ends at 25, so we can work with you until your 26th birthday.
Youth Advocates work primarily with the QFCC’s Youth Participation team but will also work with other QFCC staff members, government departments, non-government organisations and stakeholders. Any work you participate in with will be facilitated by members of the Youth Participation team.
As a youth advocate you are a member of a large group of passionate young people from across Queensland who want to create change and advocate for the needs of young people. You will have the opportunity to learn from young people with different backgrounds and lived experiences through your work as a Youth Advocate.
The QFCC supports young people from all locations across Queensland and we provide hybrid and online youth participation opportunities so all you need is an internet connection to get involved.
Yes, we are proactively looking for young people living in regional, rural and remote Queensland. We offer a range of online and hybrid opportunities to amplify the voices of all young people in Queensland.
QFCC Youth Participation staff provide support to Youth Advocates including regular communications about opportunities, pre-briefing and post-briefings and any other reasonable adjustments as required. The QFCC Youth Participation team has trauma informed staff with processes in place to help support participation for young people from a variety of lived experience backgrounds.
If you have any specific needs we are happy to work with you to develop a solution that enables you to work with us and amplify the voices of young people.
Youth Advocates are paid at an AO3 casual rate. This is around $44/hour – this rate is subject to change.
Become a Youth Advocate
Expressions of Interests (EOIs) in becoming a Youth Advocate are currently closed. Join the Amplify Youth Newsletter to receive updates about events and opportunities across Queensland.
