Youth Law Australia

Home
Australia
UNSW
Youth Law Australia

Youth Law Australia provides legal information to children and young people in Australia.

If you are under 25, you can send us your legal questions at https://gethelp.yla.org.au/. You can also check out our legal factsheets on the laws in your state or territory at https://yla.org.au/.

22/01/2026

Congratulations 👏✊🏾👏🏿✊🏼🤍❤️🖤💛 💚💙

09/12/2025

From today, the law requires social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent children under 16 from having an account on certain social media platforms.

These are some of the ways it might affect you.
If you are worried about something that has happened online, you can reach out to us at https://yla.org.au/get-help/. You can also find more information about the ban here: https://yla.org.au/nsw/topics/internet-phones-and-technology/social-media-ban/ and https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions-hub

28/11/2025

This week, Youth Law Australia delivered a statement to UN Member States on critical children’s rights violations in Australia. Australia’s human rights record is being reviewed as part of the Universal Periodic Review in early 2026.

Youth Law Australia urged Member States to make recommendations to Australia to address youth justice systems and child maltreatment, and called for Australia to fully incorporate the Convention on the Rights of the Child into domestic law, among other recommendations.

Youth Law Australia presented the statement at the UN in Geneva alongside the Australian Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Law Centre, Anti-Slavery Australia, Australian Centre for Disability Law and the Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action. Youth Law Australia is part of a coalition of over 170+ Non-Government Organisations calling for UN Member States to hold Australia accountable to its human rights obligations when Australia appears before the UN Human Rights Council in early 2026.

Read the Joint NGO report here: https://www.hrlc.org.au/projects/universal-periodic-review-2025-26/

Read Youth Law Australia’s statement here:https://yla.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Final-Presession-Statement-Youth-Law-Australia.pdf

24/11/2025

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, a day to raise awareness of the widespread physical, sexual, psychological, and digital violence faced by women and girls worldwide. This year’s campaign focuses on the rapid rise of digital violence against women, including harassment, threats, doxxing, deepfakes, image-based abuse, grooming, and sexual exploitation. There is no excuse for online abuse.

At Youth Law Australia, we believe every young person deserves to feel safe and protected online. We understand that digital violence disproportionately impacts young women and we are here to help them understand their rights, access support, and take steps to address online abuse, exploitation, harassment, or threats.

If you are under 25, or supporting someone who is, and have experienced online abuse, harassment, image-based abuse, or threats, you can reach out to us for free, confidential legal help: https://yla.org.au/get-help/.

19/11/2025

Today is World Children’s Day - the 36th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and a reminder that children and young people are rights-holders with legal entitlements to safety, participation and protection from harm.

At Youth Law Australia, we help young people understand and assert their rights through free, confidential legal support.

Children’s rights are human rights.

Let’s protect them, uphold them, and act on them every day.

Find out more about World Children’s Day here: https://www.unicef.org.au/world-childrens-day

If you’re a young person and need help understanding your rights, you can contact YLA at any time by filling out our Get Help Now form here: https://yla.org.au/get-help/

17/11/2025

Today we recognise World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence. This is a significant day which recognises that with global efforts to end childhood sexual violence, it is equally important to support healing and justice for survivors. Around the world, children face unacceptable risks of sexual exploitation, abuse and violence. Today is a call to recommit to protecting children - both online and offline. Keeping children and young people safe requires all of us. At Youth Law Australia, we are committed to supporting young people to exercise their legal rights and facilitate their access to justice. YLA has a specialist service for young people who have experienced harm. If you are a child or young person in Australia and you need support, you can reach out to us at any time by filling out our Get Help form here: https://yla.org.au/get-help/‘ You can also find more information on the day here:https://www.un.org/en/observances/child-sexual-exploitation-prevention-and-healing-day

14/11/2025

Doli incapax is a legal principle that protects young children from being trapped in the quicksand of the criminal justice system and suffering ongoing trauma.

A new review led by a former Supreme Court judge and former NSW Police deputy commissioner has recommended upholding doli incapax and codifying it in NSW law. This is the right way forward.

The evidence and voices of community leaders and experts, are clear. We must implement the findings of the independent review into doli incapax which included:
✔️ Legislating to preserve doli incapax without any changes – a legal principle that protects children under 14 years old from being trapped in the quicksand of the criminal justice system
✔️ Expanding access to therapeutic pathways that divert children aged 10-13 years from the criminal justice system.
shows that children’s brains are still developing at the age of 13 and criminal punishment does not work.

Criminalising more 10, 11, 12 and 13-year-olds would make our communities more dangerous by perpetuating cycles of trauma and crime for generations to come.

29/10/2025

📣 Seeking research participants - We’re partnering with RMIT to test a new chatbot that’s being built to provide support and information for young people. Participants will receive an $80 gift card for their time.

If you’re interested in participating please follow the QR code or reach out to [email protected]

22/10/2025

YLA is proud to support the Children’s Rights and the Law Conference, hosted by Southern Cross University online tomorrow and Friday (23–24 October).

We invite you to join the conversation and hear from experts across the areas of family law, child protection and care, and criminal law and youth justice as they explore this important topic.

For info on how to attend go to: https://www.scu.edu.au/business-law-and-arts/events/childrens-rights-and-the-law/
https://www.scu.edu.au/business-law-and-arts/events/childrens-rights-and-the-law/

20/10/2025

This week we celebrate Children’s Week, a national event recognising and promoting awareness of children’s rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This year’s theme is ‘everyone should know about children’s rights!’ and at Youth Law Australia, we are dedicated to not only making sure young people all over Australia are aware of their rights, but helping them exercise their rights as well. You can find out more about how to celebrate Children’s Week in your state or territory here: https://childrensweek.org.au/.
If you’re a young person and you need help understanding your rights, you can contact YLA at any time by filling out our Get Help form here: https://yla.org.au/get-help/.

10/10/2025

Today we celebrate World Mental Health Day, which is a day to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to encourage and recognise efforts in support of mental health. This year’s theme is to connect with your community which acknowledges the importance of community groups and members and how connecting to people and places that allow us to feel safe, seen and heard can help us feel cared for and supported, which is good for our mental health. 

YLA recognises the importance of mental health and that it is always important to reach out to your community for help and support. If you are a young person and you would like to talk to someone about what’s going on or how you’re feeling, you can speak to Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 at any time.

29/08/2025

Today is Wear It Purple Day, which is a day of awareness and to show support for LGBTQIA+ young people. Founded in Australia, this day is now an international movement that aims to counter bullying and discrimination by fostering safe and inclusive environments where young rainbow people are celebrated, respected, and feel they have the right to be proud of their identity. This year’s theme is ‘Bold Voices, Bright Futures’, inviting people to recognise and amplify the voices of young LGBTQIA+ people, championing their right to speak, dream, and lead with pride.

At Youth Law Australia, we are committed to listening to and providing a supportive and safe legal service for all LGBTQIA+ children and young people across Australia. You can learn more about how you can celebrate here:
https://www.wearitpurple.org/how-to-celebrate 💜

Address

Law Centres Precinct, Level 1, Law Building
Unsw
2052

Telephone

+61290676510

Website

http://www.yla.org.au/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Youth Law Australia posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in UNSW?