Youth Parliament – Think Big, Have Fun, Go Far!

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.

Led by young people for young people, each year’s cohort receives training over a six month period that includes in-person camps and online workshops. Participants create Youth Bills with recommendations on issues for change. These are debated during a mock 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.

Applications have now closed for 2024. Be sure to check back in late 2024 for details on the 2025 program!

Key Dates For #YP2024

Welcoming Everybody

At the Y, we are committed to making Youth Parliament accessible to all young people. The Y welcomes 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 areas. These groups are eligible for sponsorships under the program. Additionally, all participants receive a Fundraising Kit to guide them in gaining financial support from their communities.

Program Highlights

• 97% of past participants said they felt more empowered to advocate for issues in their local communities  
• 98% of volunteers said they had enhanced their personal leadership skills (Youth and Community Outcomes Report, 2019-20. The Y NSW)
• Former Youth Parliamentarians have gone on to become Members of Parliament in the NSW Parliament and returned to the Y NSW Youth Parliament program as guests to attend events and chair debates.  
• As part of our Reconciliation journey, we have established an Aboriginal Affairs Committee as part of our Youth Parliament program.  
• Trailblazers like Hamani Tanginoa: a young, LGBTQIA+, Wiradjuri, Goreng Goreng and Tongan man - made history at the Y as the first Aboriginal Youth Premier for NSW at 17 years of age at Youth Parliament.
• Youth Parliament members have featured in news media nationally to discuss issues 

Thank you to Our Partners

Get all the info you need about YP on our FAQs page

Youth Parliament FAQs

Hear what our YP Alumni have to say

Michael, Youth Parliament Participant 

“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 allows young people like me to be an agent of change.” 

Angus, Youth Parliament Participant

“The NSW Youth Parliament program has been nothing short of a life changing opportunity, where young people are able to advocate for the issues, they feel so passionate about for the betterment of a society they will inherit. This program has been instrumental in understanding the person I am now and developing into the person I become.” 

Check out Bills/Reports From Previous Youth Parliaments

Youth Parliament Bills/Reports