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21/08/2026

That was National Youth Parliament 2026.

150 young Australians. One from every federal electorate. Five days in Canberra.

They stood under the flag on the roof of Parliament House. They watched Question Time from the gallery. They took their seats across two chambers and debated real legislation on artificial intelligence and on fairness between generations. They were received at Government House. And yesterday they flew home to every corner of the country.

They've come so far in just a week - some had never spoken in public and now they've passed bills in the House of Reps chamber and delivered ajournment debates.

More than 2,200 young people applied to be part of National Youth Parliament. Every cost was covered so that no young person missed out because of where they live or what their family can afford.

Thank you to everyone who made it happen, and to the families who backed these young people all the way.

They've returned home more confident, connected with new friends and developed their skills. We can't wait to see what they do next.

National Youth Parliament is led by the Department of the House of Representatives and delivered in partnership with Y Australia.

nyp.houseofrepresentatives.gov.au

This morning they were received at Government House. This afternoon they flew home.Following an inspiring Closing Ceremo...
20/08/2026

This morning they were received at Government House. This afternoon they flew home.

Following an inspiring Closing Ceremony in which the Governor General commended the Youth Members for their work and invited them to share their thoughts on issues that they are passionate about.

Five days ago, 150 young Australians arrived in Canberra from every federal electorate in the country. Since then they have stood under the flag on the roof of Parliament House, watched Question Time, taken their seats in two chambers, and debated real legislation on artificial intelligence and intergenerational fairness.

They are heading home now, back to communities right across Australia, with new friends, new experiences and new confidence to continue to make change.

To the families who packed the bags last week and have been following along all week: they did you proud.

Thank you to everyone who made this week possible

National Youth Parliament is led by the Department of the House of Representatives and delivered in partnership with Y Australia.

nyp.houseofrepresentatives.gov.au

The longest day of the week, and one of the best.Youth Members were in the chamber from early this morning, debating the...
19/08/2026

The longest day of the week, and one of the best.

Youth Members were in the chamber from early this morning, debating the two bills before them: one on artificial intelligence, and one on whether Australia should think harder about the impact of today's decisions on future generations.

This afternoon they headed to Australian Parliament House for adjournment debates, then sat down with people who work in and around politics to hear how careers in public life really start.

Tonight the week was celebrated with a reception in the Great Hall.

On Sunday they arrived as 150 individuals from 150 different places. Tonight they finished the week having built something together.

National Youth Parliament is led by the Department of the House of Representatives and delivered in partnership with Y Australia.

nyp.houseofrepresentatives.gov.au

Today they took their seats.National Youth Parliament 2026 was officially opened this afternoon at the Museum of Austral...
18/08/2026

Today they took their seats.

National Youth Parliament 2026 was officially opened this afternoon at the Museum of Australian Democracy, the building where Australia's Federal Parliament sat for more than fifty years.

Then the real work began. 150 young Australians spread across two chambers for their first sitting, debating two bills: one on artificial intelligence, and one on whether Australia should think harder about the long-term impact of its decisions on future generations.

Today was a huge day for our Youth MPs. This morning they prepared their arguments over breakfast. By this afternoon they were making them out loud, in front of everyone.

Sessions continue tomorrow.

National Youth Parliament is led by the Department of the House of Representatives and delivered in partnership with Y Australia.

What a first day!It started as 150 young Australians, one from every federal electorate, came together under the flag at...
17/08/2026

What a first day!

It started as 150 young Australians, one from every federal electorate, came together under the flag at Parliament House.

Youth Members had the opportunity to unfurl the iconic Parliament House Flag, holding it aloft

Then the day really began. They watched the sitting week commence in the House of Representatives, were welcomed in Members' Hall by the House Speaker, Governor General and Clerk of the House and had the opportunity to sit in on Question Time.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the Youth Members to Canberra, encouraging them to have fun learning about our democratic system.

By the afternoon they were heads down, working on the arguments they will make later this week. The day wrapped up with dinner and a trivia night in Mural Hall.

Tomorrow is a big one. The opening ceremony at the Museum of Australian Democracy, and their first sitting across two chambers.

To the families following along from home, they are doing you proud.

National Youth Parliament is led by the Department of the House of Representatives and delivered in partnership with Y Australia.

nyp.houseofrepresentatives.gov.au

Today is arrival day.150 young Australians have landed in Canberra for National Youth Parliament 2026, one from every fe...
16/08/2026

Today is arrival day.

150 young Australians have landed in Canberra for National Youth Parliament 2026, one from every federal electorate in the country.

For many of them, this is the first time meeting anyone else taking part. There are nerves, there is excitement, and there are a lot of new names to learn. Tonight they settle in, share a meal and get ready for the week ahead.

Over the next five days they will step into Parliament House and the Museum of Australian Democracy to debate real legislation, work with parliamentary leaders and find out what they are capable of when someone hands them the floor.

They come from remote communities, country towns, outer suburbs and inner cities. Every state and territory is represented. More than 2,200 young people applied for a place.

Every cost is covered, including travel and accommodation, so that no young person misses out because of where they live or what their family can afford.

To the families who packed bags and said goodbye at airports this morning, thank you for backing them.

The week starts tomorrow. Follow along for stories and highlights!

Today is International Youth Day, and this year's theme is one worth sharing.Different Contexts, Common Aspirations. Whe...
11/08/2026

Today is International Youth Day, and this year's theme is one worth sharing.

Different Contexts, Common Aspirations. Wherever young people grow up, and whatever their circumstances, they want remarkably similar things. To be treated with dignity. To have opportunities. To have a real say in the decisions that shape their lives.

On Sunday, 150 young Australians will show us exactly what that looks like.

They are heading to Canberra for National Youth Parliament 2026, one young person representing each federal electorate. Some come from remote communities, some from country towns, some from the heart of our biggest cities. One of them may well be from your community.

Over five days they will debate real legislation, work alongside parliamentary leaders and discover what they are capable of.

More than 2,200 young people applied. Every cost is covered, including travel and accommodation, so no young person misses out because of where they live or what their family can afford.

We cannot wait to see what they do with the opportunity.

National Youth Parliament is led by the Department of the House of Representatives and delivered in partnership with Y Australia. Follow along from 16 August.

nyp.houseofrepresentatives.gov.au

Tonight is Census Night!The Census is on 11 August 2026. The ABS needs to hear from everyone because in the Census - ev...
11/08/2026

Tonight is Census Night!

The Census is on 11 August 2026. The ABS needs to hear from everyone because in the Census - every answer matters.

Visit census.abs.gov.au for more information.

For help in your language call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450.

As we look back at the 21st YMCA World Council in Toronto, we're celebrating the work of young people who are making a d...
30/07/2026

As we look back at the 21st YMCA World Council in Toronto, we're celebrating the work of young people who are making a difference as part of the sixth cohort of the Change Agents program.

Australian Change Agent Kate from The Y Whittlesea has worked to develop the Connection Camp Blueprint; a model for camps that prioritises safety, inclusion, and belonging.

The Change Agents program has provided young people from across the Y Movement worldwide with the structure and support to develop projects that have a positive impact on their communities.

By combining research, lived experience, and practical design, Connection Camp Blueprint supports services to deliver consistent, high-quality experiences for young people. This is systems-level thinking, grounded in care.

Find out more about the Global Change Agents program and the work of Cohort 6.0 on our website.

https://ymca.org.au/what-we-do/youth-empowerment/global-change-agents/

Today, we celebrate the graduation of World YMCA Change Agents Cohort 6.Over the past 18 months, young leaders from acro...
24/07/2026

Today, we celebrate the graduation of World YMCA Change Agents Cohort 6.
Over the past 18 months, young leaders from across the world have been trusted to turn ideas into action, test solutions alongside their communities and grow through the real work of leadership.
For our Australian Change Agents, this has meant designing and delivering projects focused on child safety, youth mentoring, connection, meaningful work, food, storytelling, sport and community wellbeing.
They have listened deeply, made decisions, adapted when things did not go to plan and created work grounded in the needs and strengths of their communities. Along the way, they have developed the confidence, skills and global relationships to continue creating change well beyond this program.

As Khalid shared during the graduation ceremony:
“Leadership is not about fitting someone else’s idea of a leader. It is about being trusted to lead as yourself.” That trust sits at the heart of the Change Agents program.

“The true measure of this programme will not be what it did for us, but what we choose to do for others because of it.”
Congratulations to every Change Agent graduating today. We are incredibly proud of the leaders you are, the impact you have already created and everything still to come.
Because change is not something we wait for. It is something we create together.

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