Youth Parliament – 25 Years of Impact

Youth Parliament is the Y NSW’s flagship youth leadership and engagement program and has been operating for over 20 years in NSW. With a focus on leadership and advocacy, the program enables high school students in years 10 to 12 to build confidence, develop leadership skills, engage with civic leadership, policy development, and democratic parliamentary debate. It’s an incredible opportunity for young people to advocate, grow skills and make life-long connections.

Youth Parliament promotes equal access to political participation for all. In particular, it aims to relieve social and civic disadvantage among young Australians who face barriers from participating meaningfully in civic or democratic life, including those from low-income, regional, or culturally diverse backgrounds. 

The program provides practical support, education and mentoring to help young people, including those experiencing social exclusion or disadvantage, build confidence, skills, and access pathways to civic and community engagement. Each year’s cohort receives training over a six-month period that includes in-person camps and online workshops. Participants create Youth Bills with policy solutions on issues impacting young people in NSW. These are debated during a Youth Sitting Week in NSW Parliament House with Members of Parliament invited to chair. It’s an incredible opportunity for young people to advocate, grow skills and make life-long connections.

Read the latest: Youth Parliament 2025 Highlights – See how this year’s cohort made their mark in NSW Parliament.

We are always looking for donations and financial support to continue to allow young people to participate in Youth Parliament, regardless of financial ability. The program costs the Y NSW about $4000 per young person, but every little bit helps

Key Dates For #YP2026

Welcoming Everybody

At the Y NSW, we are committed to making Youth Parliament accessible to all young people. We welcome and encourage young people from diverse backgrounds such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people living with a disability, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+, those experiencing financial hardship, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, those living/have lived in out-of-home care and people from rural and regional areas. We believe that all people should be able to have their voices heard and can provide fundraising resources to support young people to pay for their program fees. In some instances, scholarships may be available.

We are committed to making Youth Parliament accessible for all young people and provide tailored wellbeing support plans for any young people with accessibility or support needs. During the application process you can indicate any accessibility needs, and more information about the wellbeing support process will be provided to accepted participants. If you have significant support needs, please reach out to our team to discuss what support and accommodations may be available.

Program Highlights and Impact

• 97% of past participants said they felt more empowered to advocate for issues in their local communities  
• 96% of past participants gained an understanding of the NSW Parliamentary Process.  
• 92% of past participants reported higher self-confidence as a result of participating in Youth Parliament. 
• 100% of 2025 participants said they built friendships while participating in Youth Parliament.  
• 98% of volunteers said they had enhanced their personal leadership skills. 
• Former Youth Parliamentarians have gone on to become Members of Parliament in NSW and Australia, lawyers, business executives, community and NGO leaders, working in media/journalism spaces, and much more.  

Get all the info you need about Youth Parliament on our FAQs page

Youth Parliament FAQs

Hear what our YP Alumni have to say:

“As a person who lives in NSW, who has lots of ideas and notions, who wants to really initiate change, I believe Youth Parliament and the Y NSW allows young people like me to be an agent of change.”  

“This program gave me the change to not only make some amazing friendships but also leave with a deeper sense of self. Being a truer version of myself has really helped me feel more confident.” 

“I loved being able to speak for my community and have a voice instead of just screaming into the void. I feel like I can actually make change with my words and I feel more hopeful generally about myself and the world.” 

Read the Youth Bills From Previous Youth Parliaments

Youth Parliament Bills

Thank you to our Partners

Discover more about the Y NSW Youth Parliament online and on our socials!

Facebook @the.ynswyp | Instagram @the.ynswyp | Youth Parliament in the News and Media

Contact the Youth Parliament Team: youthparliament@ymcansw.org.au