Youth Affairs Council Victoria

17/06/2026

Janice Rodrigues, Australia’s 2026 Youth Representative to the United Nations, recently visited the YACVic office. She caught up with 6 of our Young Peer Facilitators, 2 youth work placement students, 2 young people who were recipients of our recent Women Deliver Conference scholarships and 2 of Victorian Student Representative Council's Student Executives.

It was a great meeting, where we discussed the key issues facing young people right now and how Janice should be advocating to world leaders so they listen to and act on these asks 😊🌏

We’ll keep you posted!

16/06/2026

Last week, the YACVic team had our first meeting with the new Victorian Minister for Youth Luba Grigorovitch MP, where we discussed our shared vision for a Victoria where all young people, and the youth sector that supports them, are active, visible and valued in their communities.

Our CEO Mary Nega and Advocacy Manager Lauren Frost spoke with Minister Grigorovitch about some of the big issues impacting young people at the moment, including the fundamental conditions that young people need to thrive, and the importance of genuine youth participation in our democratic system.

We took the opportunity to raise key concerns from youth sector workers and discussed how Victoria can invest in a strong and sustainable youth sector.

We thank Minister Grigorovitch for meeting with us and hearing the voices of young people and the youth sector right across Victoria.

You can find out more about YACVic's advocacy work by signing up to our newsletter at www.yacvic.org.au/sign-up-for-our-newsletters.

06/06/2026

Only a few days left to get your tickets to our flagship rural conference, Beyond Borders: Breaking Down the Silos, happening on 9-10 June at Deakin Hydrogen Hub Warrnambool: https://events.humanitix.com/beyond-borders-breaking-down-the-silos

05/06/2026

We had a blast in Charlton last week, talking about how the youth sector can better come together to support young people in our regional communities!

Highlights included a keynote speech from Churchill Fellow Katie Acheson and hearing from young workers about local solutions 🤝💚

Great South Coast, it's your turn next! Get your tickets for Beyond Borders: Breaking Down the Silos, happening 9-10 June at Deakin Hydrogen Hub Warrnambool: https://events.humanitix.com/beyond-borders-breaking-down-the-silos

04/06/2026

Can Victoria still call itself the education state?

Did you know we're the only state that hasn't committed to fully funding public schools? 🤨📚

Last year, the Victorian government delayed full funding until at least 2031, effectively ripping $2.4 billion dollars from schools.

We called on the government to urgently fund public schools to 75% of the Schooling Resources Standard. Because every young person deserves a high-quality education.

Our partner Youthlaw emphasised that inadequate school funding increases the risk of young people becoming disengaged and criminalised.

The inquiry recently released its final report, recommending that the Victorian government

📅 tell us when it will fully fund public schools

💰 calculate how much schools have been underfunded and compensate them

🤝 immediately finalise a long-term funding agreement with the Commonwealth government.

The government has six months to respond. We’ll be watching.

Read the full update on our website: https://www.yacvic.org.au/advocacy/yacvic-submission-inquiry-into-public-school-funding/

We made a submission to the Victorian Government’s Inquiry into Public School Funding. Specifically, the impacts of the Victorian Government’s decision to delay raising Victoria’s school funding to 75 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) until 2031, effectively cutting $2.4 billio...

27/05/2026

Don’t miss out! Grab your ticket to Beyond Borders, our conference for folks who work with young people. It’s taking place on Gunditjmara Country from 9-10 June and is free for young people 💚

https://events.humanitix.com/beyond-borders-breaking-down-the-silos

Listen to the full interview with Jeremy Lee on ABC South West Victoria: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/southwestvic-breakfast/breakfast/106713730

Read the interview on The West Vic Brolga:

https://www.westvicbrolga.com.au/p/regional-youth-workers-to-converge-on-warrnambool-and-break-down-the-challenges-facing-young-people

26/05/2026

Sorry means you don’t do it again. We must support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people every day, not just on . It's everyone’s business 🖤💛❤️

Koorie Youth Council Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service - VALS First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria

17/05/2026

Today on 17 May, we celebrate the strength of our LGBTIQA+ friends in the face of rising levels of discrimination and vilification, both here and internationally. We will continue to stand with you on IDAHOBIT and every other day. ❤️🌈

In line with this year’s global theme, “At the heart of democracy”, YACVic remains committed to advancing and improving the lives and rights of LGBTIQA+ young people. We urge community and governments to uphold the values of equality, freedom and justice for all.

Support is available if you need it:

⭐ QLife - call 1800 184 527
⭐ Rainbow Door – call 1800 729 367, or text 0480 017 246
⭐ 13 YARN - call 13 92 76 for culturally safe support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

14/05/2026

Our flagship Rural Conferences are back this year under the theme ‘Beyond Borders: Breaking Down the Silos’ 💚

These conferences will be a practical and inspiring opportunity for young people and youth sector workers across the Southern Mallee and Great South Coast to come together, connect and collaborate.

Great South Coast, it’s your turn! Join us from Tuesday 9 June – Wednesday 9 June, 10:30 AM – 3 PM.

Secure your spot now:

Beyond Borders: Breaking Down the Silos is a practical and inspiring opportunity for the youth sector and community organisations across the Great South Coast to come together, connect and collaborate.

08/05/2026

ANALYSIS: The 2026-27 Victorian Budget makes some welcome investments, but overall, there's not enough youth-specific support. We urge the Government to prioritise greater investment in the youth sector moving forward.

In the lead up to the election, YACVic looks forward to working with the Victorian Government, young people and the youth sector to shape a vision for Victoria where the rights of all young people in Victoria are respected, and they are active, visible and valued in their communities.

Read our full analysis: https://www.yacvic.org.au/advocacy/2026-victorian-budget-analysis/

On Tuesday 5 May, the Victorian Treasurer announced the 2026-27 Victorian State Budget. With an election looming in November, this budget is an opportunity for the government to show us what it values, and who and what it prioritises.