The 2026 Youth Parliament program is kicking off!
The 2026 Victorian Youth Parliament program will celebrate 40 years of changing lives, and shaping legislation in Victoria.Year after year, we see participants and taskforce members walk away from this program having made deep and personal connections with one another, and feeling inspired to take on the challenges of the world. Youth Parliament has had a hand in shaping a huge number of ambitious and accomplished individuals who carry the learnings from their time with this program close to their hearts for the rest of their lives. But don’t take our word for it, see below for yourself what some of our previous young people had to say about the program;
“I think that I developed so many more skills [on the program] that it’s impossible to list them all. I feel that I have grown and developed as a person entirely. I have changed so much in a good way and I believe that I’m not the same person who joined this program and I’m eternally grateful for that.” 2025 Youth Parliamentarian
“Through Youth Parliament, I developed stronger public speaking skills and learned how to think on my feet during debates. I also became more confident in expressing my views, especially in high-pressure situations. Teamwork and adaptability were huge for me too—especially when my teammates couldn’t be there, and I had to step up and rely on support from others. I also learned how to respectfully challenge opposing ideas and listen more actively in chamber discussions.” 2025 Youth Parliamentarian
“I now understand how parliamentary processes work and how to debate, communicate clearly, and respond to different views… I learnt how to communicate my ideas clearly, respond to opposing views, and work as part of a team under pressure. All of these are things that will help me in future leadership roles, public speaking situations, or even when collaborating with others in any career.” 2025 Youth Parliamentarian
“Being part of the Youth Parliament made me feel like I truly belonged. Working with others who shared similar passions, supporting each other, and being heard made me feel valued and connected to a bigger purpose.” 2025 Youth Parliamentarian
2026 Victorian Youth Parliament | celebrating 40 years!
The Victorian Youth Parliament program supports young people to speak up and be heard about issues that they are passionate about. In a team of six, Youth Parliamentarians will be supported in writing a Bill addressing a state-based issue that they would like to see changed or added into Victorian legislation. Bills will be introduced into the Youth Parliament, debated and voted upon during the sitting week held in the chambers of Parliament House, Victoria. Upon conclusion of the sitting week, all Youth Parliament Bills that passed are officially handed to the Minister for Youth to be disseminated to the relevant state Members of Parliament.
In addition to debates, Victorian Youth Parliamentarians will engage in a range of personal and professional development sessions during the residential camps, run according to experiential learning principles. Residential camps will also provide the Youth Parliamentarians a space to engage in the community of changemakers coming together from across the state to partake in the program.
Team applications:
Team applications have now CLOSED FOR 2026. Applications for the 2027 program will open late 2026.
Taskforce applications:
To apply for a volunteer Taskforce position, see the Taskforce page for application information.
Youth Press Gallery and Individual applications
Youth Press Gallery and Individual applications will open in early 2026, so keep your eyes peeled if you’re still looking to be part of the program.
Program outline
- Mentor Contact (start writing Bills): from Monday 1 December 2025
- Participant Information Night: Thursday 12 March 2026
- Participant Training Weekend: Friday 22 May to Sunday 24 May 2026
- Week of Youth Parliament: Sunday 28 June to Friday 3 July 2026
Off-camp (Term four (2025), term one and two (2026):
In the lead up to the residential camps, teams will meet and attend meetings with an assigned mentor from the Taskforce. In these meetings, participants will;
- Be assigned a Bill topic from their submitted preferences
- Be supported in the drafting and development of their Bill
- Be introduced to the parliamentary debate structure and etiquette
- Gain an understanding of local, state and federal legislation
Teams may also be given the opportunity to meet with a stakeholder in the area of their Bill topic to discuss their Bill and advocate for change directly. It is also recommended that teams meet frequently outside of their supported mentor meetings to keep on top of the Bill writing workload.
Training weekend (22 – 24 May):
The Training Weekend is a three (3) day residential camp at Lake Dewar Discovery Camp. It is the time for participants to learn about parliamentary debating and parliamentary etiquette, learn about and engage with media, and begin building a sense of community with other young people.
Across the weekend, participants will:
- Finalise understanding in key training areas such as parliamentary etiquette and debate
- Engage in mock parliamentary debates
- Engage in media training and be interviewed on their Bill by the Youth Press Gallery journalists
- Establish the Chambers for Sitting Week including appointment of leadership roles (Chamber Leaders and Youth Premier)
- Engage in skill development sessions covering topics such as confidence and leadership
The week of Youth Parliament (28 June – 3 July):
This is it! The Week of Youth Parliament is a six (6) day residential camp, also at Lake Dewar Discovery Camp. This is when Youth Parliamentarians will debate their Bills at Parliament House in front of ministers and the public. They will also continue to develop personal and professional skills, and build connections with a group of passionate change-makers who may become important personal and professional contacts for years following participation in the program.
Across the week, participants will:
- Connect with and build a community with other change-makers
- Continue to build leadership and advocacy skills while at campsite through tailor-made experiential learning sessions
- Travel by bus on the Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of camp to Parliament House to participate in the Youth Parliament sitting week
- Gain practical experience in the parliamentary debating process – participating in both the sponsor (arguing for) and refuter (arguing against) roles for debate on Youth Parliament Bills
- Be given the opportunity to deliver a short speech directed to a state OR federal MP on an issue they are passionate about
View the work achieved in our 2025 program.
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– Kaitlin (Sheepy) Woolford, Victorian Youth Parliament Program Director