Youth Affairs Council Victoria

20/10/2026

Labor, Greens, Liberal and Animal Justice Party MPs have some advice for young people overwhelmed with election news, and how to find reliable information about who's running.

PSA: Our updated Election Navigator is now live! It contains everything you need to know about casting your vote in the upcoming Victorian State Election on Saturday 28 November 2026.

Learn more: YACVic.org.au/election



Luba Grigorovitch MP Nicole Werner MP Aiv Puglielli - Greens MP for North-East Metro Georgie Purcell - Animal Justice Party MP

19/10/2026

Our CEO Mary Nega recently spoke with Greater Melbourne Foundation about what true democracy and a fairer future for Melbourne could look like.

"Democracy means people having a real say in the decisions that shape their lives and communities. What gives me hope is young people organising, building communities across differences, supporting each other and bringing their own experiences into conversations about policy and change."

Read the full interview here:

Q&A with Mary Nega

16/10/2026

Meet the speakers for our Masculinity, Misogyny and Young People forum next week! We'll be examining young people’s understanding of masculinity, the rise of misogynistic attitudes and online influences, and the role of the rural and regional youth sector in responding 💚

Join us online on Tuesday 20 October, 9.30am - 12.30pm.

This is your last chance to register! Secure your spot now: https://events.humanitix.com/yacvic-rural-huddle-young-people-and-masculinity

15/10/2026

Do you or your organisation work with children? There are new changes to the Working With Children’s Check happening from 19 October.

Swipe across to get up to speed, and visit the Vic Gov website for more info: Vic.gov.au/working-with-children-check

It’s also a great time to book into our final Child Safe Champions training for the year: https://www.yacvic.org.au/get-involved/events/child-safe-champions-2-day-training/

13/10/2026

We caught up with Labor, Liberal, Greens and Animal Justice Party MPs to chat about why it’s important for young people to vote, and practical things you can do before election day.

PSA: Our updated Election Navigator is now live! It contains everything you need to know about casting your vote in the upcoming Victorian State Election on Saturday 28 November 2026.

Learn more: YACVic.org.au/election/state



Luba Grigorovitch MP Aiv Puglielli - Greens MP for North-East Metro Nicole Werner MP Georgie Purcell - Animal Justice Party MP

12/10/2026

🚨The Victorian state election is coming up on Saturday 28 November. Gen Z and millennials now make up nearly 50 per cent of the voting bloc, which means young people have a huge amount of pow the ballot box.

Not quite sure how our voting system works? Don't know where to start when thinking of who to vote for? Head to our newly updated Election Navigator resource to get informed: https://www.yacvic.org.au/elections/state/

Voting is important because it gives you a say on issues that affect you and your community. In Australia, voting is compulsory.

07/10/2026

YACVic Rural invites youth sector professionals to join us in an online forum exploring masculinity, misogyny and young people. This Rural Huddle creates an opportunity to explore issues impacting young people, communities and youth work practice through a rural and regional lens.

Join us on 20 October as we examine the influences shaping young people’s understanding of masculinity, the rise of misogynistic attitudes and online influences, and the role of the youth sector in responding.

Register now to attend:

YACVic Rural invite youth sector professionals to join us in an online forum exploring Masculinity, Misogyny and Young People and evidence-based best practice.

05/10/2026

Australia spends more than $1.1 billion a year on youth justice.

On September 18, the final report was released for the Federal government’s inquiry into Australia’s youth justice and incarceration system.

The Committee heard in that detaining a single child costs taxpayers an estimated $1 million a year — expenditure that "generates a negative return on public safety".

We call on the Carroll Government, and everyone contesting the 28 November Victorian State election, to commit to evidence-based approaches to community safety found in the Working Together Action Plan.

We also call on Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland to work with states and territories to put the report’s recommendations into effect.

Smart Justice for Young People is a coalition of more than 50 Victorian social services, health, legal and youth advocacy organisations, co-convened by Youthlaw, the Victorian Council of Social Services, the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, Centre for Innovative Justice, the Federation of Community Legal Centres and Westjustice.

Read the full statement:https://sj4yp.au/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6Mzc1LCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--66851c00862615e5ceb8ba5dee0027eb1d0ed2d5/2026.09.23%20-%20Senate%20Committee%20finds%20there%20is%20no%20youth%20crime%20crisis%20and%20backs%20in%20Working%20Together%20Action%20Plan.pdf

01/10/2026

HEY Day is our annual event where we celebrate the incredible work being done by, and for, LGBTIQA+ young people to improve their mental health and wellbeing across the state.

Join us on Friday 30 October as we announce the recipients of our Round 16 HEY Grants and show our support for q***r young Victorians ❤️🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Tickets are free if you’re under 25!

Register your spot now: https://events.humanitix.com/hey-day-round-16

30/09/2026

Laura Crozier, YACVic’s ‘Yeah, Nah’ Affirmative Consent Project Officer, spoke on ABC Radio National Breakfast about the normalised culture and risks associated with sexual strangulation.

Read: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-27/why-is-sexual-strangulation-prevalent-among-young-australians/107194944

Listen back: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/why-is-strangulation-during-sex-happening-/107189532

Sam Champion, YACVic’s Participation and Development Manager, breaks down our youth peer facilitation model on 3CR Community Radio's Done By Law.

Listen back: https://www.3cr.org.au/donebylaw/episode/yacvic-and-youthlaw-youth-participation-and-legal-education