Introduction
Youth.gov.au is the Australian Government’s digital youth hub, connecting young people with information and opportunities to contribute to government decisions through the Office for Youth. The Office sits within the Department of Education and provides channels for young Australians to share their experiences and ideas.
Its activities focus on youth participation, leadership, advocacy and inclusive policymaking. For youth organisations, the website provides information about government engagement programmes, funded partnerships and practical resources.
History and Background
The Australian Government committed ongoing funding in the 2022–2023 Budget to establish a new Youth Engagement Model. This included an Office for Youth, youth advisory structures and support for youth advocacy, engagement and research.
A significant milestone followed on 20 March 2024, when the government launched Engage!, its youth engagement strategy. More than 4,600 young people contributed views about the issues affecting them and how they wanted to engage with government. The strategy formed part of a Youth Engagement Model described at launch as an investment exceeding A$10 million.
The digital youth hub launched in 2024, alongside youth engagement grants and a toolkit designed to strengthen government practice.
Mission and Purpose
The Office for Youth aims to ensure young people are empowered, valued and able to contribute to government decision-making.
Engage! sets three priorities: listening to and recognising young people, helping them develop advocacy and engagement skills, and supporting government agencies to work effectively with them. The strategy recognises diverse experiences and the importance of First Nations young people’s cultures, knowledge and connection to Country.
This approach links youth development with public participation, creating opportunities for young people to influence policies and programmes that affect their lives.
Governance and Structure
The Office for Youth operates within the Australian Government Department of Education. Its role is to connect young people with government and support their inclusion in decisions.
Participation mechanisms include the Youth Steering Committee, Youth Advisory Groups and National Youth Forum. These structures bring young people into contact with government departments and agencies to contribute policy and programme advice.
Accountability includes annual reporting against Engage!’s nine progress measures. The Office published Engage! Impacts and Insights 2025–2026 in October 2026 as part of its commitment to report on strategy delivery.
Funding and Grants
The Office’s activities are supported through Australian Government funding commitments. Youth.gov.au provides information about these activities and funded partnerships rather than operating as an independent philanthropic foundation.
Its Youth Engagement Grants support opportunities for young people to develop leadership and advocacy skills, with particular attention to First Nations communities and regional, rural and remote areas.
The published programme identifies a grant to the Foundation for Young Australians, working with the National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition, to strengthen First Nations youth leadership. It also describes a partnership with Heywire, which uses storytelling and engagement opportunities to amplify regional, rural and remote young people’s experiences.
Organisations seeking funding should check individual programme information for available opportunities, eligibility and application arrangements.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Youth Participation and Leadership
Youth advisory structures and the National Youth Forum provide opportunities to share experiences directly with policymakers. Engage! also includes recognition activities, a National Youth Survey and digital communication with young people.
Youth Engagement Toolkit
The toolkit helps Australian Government officials plan accessible, safe and meaningful engagement. Its eight guides cover preparation, skills development, engagement methods, ethical practice, feedback and evaluation. Templates, checklists and planners support practical implementation.
Development of a New Youth Strategy
On 19 October 2026, the Office launched consultations to inform a new Youth Strategy building on Engage!.
Young people aged 12–25 can contribute through the 2026 National Youth Survey. Youth organisations, government agencies and other organisations working with young people can respond through a discussion paper. Submissions close on 14 December 2026.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
During 2024–2025, the Office worked with 11 Australian Government agencies and more than 100 young people through its steering committee, advisory groups and National Youth Forum.
Participants provided advice on subjects including employment, climate and water policy, First Nations education, disaster resilience, civic engagement, creative industries and gender-based violence prevention. These examples demonstrate the breadth of youth participation across government portfolios.
Early evaluation findings also examined participants’ perceived influence. Of 35 respondents to the 2025 National Youth Forum evaluation, 54% felt they had influenced a government policy or programme. This is feedback from survey respondents, rather than a measure of outcomes for every participant.
Conclusion
Youth.gov.au provides a central route to Australian Government youth engagement opportunities, leadership initiatives and participation resources. Young people and youth organisations can use it to follow consultations, explore programme partnerships and understand how to contribute to government decisions.
For more information, visit here.
