Youth Affairs Council Victoria

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

21/09/2026

This is Scarlett.

Scarlett is a dedicated CFA (Country Fire Authority) volunteer that has had experience with disasters since she was a child. Growing up in Kinglake during the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, she reflects on how that experience shaped her life’s trajectory and passion for helping others during tough times. From learning about disaster preparedness in primary school to becoming a CFA volunteer, she shares the lessons she has gained about empathy, connection and community.

Listen to Scarlett’s story here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1rWkWcPBVWm9LQ191jbNDC?si=4ND834CCRMmQnrmzlnfZLw

Developed by the Centre of Excellence: Young People & Disaster’s in partnership with Phoenix Australia, Finding Steady Ground is a podcast where young people speak honestly about their experiences following disasters and provides practical strategies, insights and guidance to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people impacted by disasters.

17/09/2026

Meet Isabella, a school lawyer helping young people access the legal support they need, when and where they need it most.

As a school lawyer, Isabella provides free legal help to students, helping them navigate challenges before they escalate. By working directly in schools, she makes legal support more accessible and removes barriers that can prevent young people from seeking help.

For Isabella, early intervention is key.
"It's about intervening early to prevent young people from interacting with or becoming entrenched in the legal system. We're on site, meeting young people where they're at."

Isabella would love to see a future where young people are supported and understood, not criminalised for being marginalised or disenfranchised.

Stories like Isabella's show why accessible legal support for young people matters.

Read Isabella's story here: https://www.yacvic.org.au/blog/isabella-school-lawyers-change-lives-through-early-intervention/

16/09/2026

Meet Jasper.

Growing up in the Dandenong Ranges has meant that Jasper has experienced the impact of bushfires, storms and climate uncertainty. As a result, Jasper is a fierce advocate for the voice of young people and ensuring that they have opportunities to participate in decisions that impact them.

In the podcast Finding Steady Ground, Jasper talks about how he transformed his anxiety about the future into action, advocacy and hope. Choosing to focus on connection with community, getting involved in youth leadership and how he finds the balance between creating change and looking after his own wellbeing.

If Jaspers story sounds similar to yours, tune in to the podcast to learn more.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3z6SieOmbtzh4sxPZ6OWyM?si=gm10fuBWQk6b2l6AlFpj3w

Developed by the Centre of Excellence: Young People & Disaster’s in partnership with Phoenix Australia, Finding Steady Ground is a podcast where young people speak honestly about their experiences following disasters and provides practical strategies, insights and guidance to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people impacted by disasters.

10/09/2026

Let us introduce you to Pearl.

Pearl grew up in Moruya on the coast in New South Wales. In 2019, Pearl experienced the Black Summer bushfires. Years later she reflects on the uncertainty, community spirit and resilience that emerged during and after the disaster.
In the podcast Finding Steady Ground, Pearl highlights the small acts of contribution, strong local connections and a sense of purpose helped her navigate an incredibly challenging time.

Listen to the podcast here: https://lnkd.in/gNQhiawx

Developed by the Centre of Excellence: Young People & Disaster’s in partnership with Phoenix Australia, Finding Steady Ground is a podcast where young people speak honestly about their experiences following disasters and provides practical strategies, insights and guidance to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people impacted by disasters.