Through the program, young people between the ages of 16 and 25 can share their views on a wide range of issues relevant to their lives and community. They’ll learn how to voice their ideas, draft legislation, lead debates and create real, lasting change.
Youth Parliament at a glance
See what Youth Parliament is all about
Youth Parliamentarians work in teams of six to write a Bill which addresses a state-based issue they would like to see changed or added into Victorian legislation.
They’ll go on to debate and vote on these Bills in Parliament House, after which all passed Bills are handed to the Minister for Youth – and could become law.
Participants also attend residential camps where they engage in personal and professional development sessions and meet other change-makers taking part in the program.
Watch the video to learn more about the program and hear first-hand from past participants about their experiences.
Program outline
The Youth Parliament program involves:
- Preparation months (from Term 1, February to April)
- Participant training weekend (late May)
- Week of Youth Parliament (first week of winter school holidays)
Throughout the program, participants prepare their Bills and take part in training sessions to develop skills around debating, parliamentary etiquette and more.
They'll go on to debate their Bills in Parliament House, as well as visit Lake Dewar Discovery Camp for fun recreational and social activities.
Watch the video to learn more about what happens during Youth Parliament.
Interested in joining Youth Parliament?
Don’t miss the chance to make your voice heard, build lifelong skills and make a meaningful impact.
Learn more about the application process and how to get involved today.
FAQs
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Where does Youth Parliament take place?
The residential aspects of Youth Parliament (the training weekend and Week of Youth Parliament) take place at Y Victoria’s Lake Dewar Discovery Camp. Lake Dewar is located in Myrniong, just past Bacchus Marsh and about a one hour drive from Melbourne CBD.
During the Week of Youth Parliament, we bus participants from Lake Dewar to Melbourne’s Parliament House and then catch the same buses back to Lake Dewar in the afternoon.
We also offer a free bus service before camp and after camp so participants can safely travel to and from the campsite. This bus picks up from the National Gallery of Victoria on St Kilda Road. -
Who runs Youth Parliament?
The program is run by a team of experienced young volunteers called the Taskforce.
The Taskforce is a group of young, dedicated volunteers who develop and deliver the Youth Parliament and Youth Press Gallery programs each year. They spend countless hours of their own time making the program accessible for all young Victorians and supporting them to amplify their voices in State Parliament. -
Who can I contact to find out more?
For more information about Youth Parliament, please contact our Program Director Kaitlin (Sheepy) Woolford via email at: youthparliament.vic@ymca.org.au
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