Young people

The Department of Communities develops programs and policies that meet the needs of Western Australian young people aged 10 to 25 years.
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The Youth portfolio, through the Department of Communities, leads a whole-of-government approach to improving outcomes for all young people in Western Australia aged 10 to 25 years.  We work in partnership with young people, the youth sector, community groups and across all levels of government to support the development of programs and initiatives that meet the diverse needs of young people. 

Young people aged 10 to 25 years make up nearly 20 per cent of Western Australia’s population. The focus areas for the Department of Communities’ work includes:

  • Youth development - initiatives that support young people to build life skills and develop the knowledge and confidence they need to be involved in community life, and to respond to issues that impact them
  • Youth engagement - initiatives that engage young people and provide opportunities for them to have a voice in decisions that affect them
  • Positive promotion - opportunities to promote and celebrate young people for who they are and the positive contributions they make to the community
  • Advocacy - raising awareness of the needs of young people to ensure their needs are considered in decision-making. 
Artwork incorporating a young woman smiling with the words Have Your Say WA's new Action Plan for young people - your voice is important

A new Action Plan for young people in Western Australia

Have your say and inform the development of a new Action Plan for young people in Western Australia.
A group photograph of the Ministerial Youth Advisory Council members

Ministerial Youth Advisory Council

The Ministerial Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) provides advice to the Minister for Youth on matters relating to young people. It is comprised of up to 12 young Western Australians, who draw upon their relevant knowledge, experience and skills.
photo of a youth week event in Forest Chase Perth with young people engaged in activiites

Youth Week WA

Youth Week WA is the single largest annual celebration of young people in Western Australia held in April each year.
photo of three young people outdoors chatting

Engaging with young people

A series of tools for young people, organisations and local governments on how to maximise young people’s contributions to community.
group photo of the youth parliament 2023 taskforce

WA Youth Parliament

The Department funds the Y’s Youth Parliament Program in Western Australia, a youth-led advocacy and leadership program which encourages young people aged 15 to 25 to participate in shaping their community.
Photo of Youth Awards winner Isabella Choate with her trophy

WA Youth Awards

The WA Youth Awards recognise Western Australians aged 10 to 25 years for their contribution to the community, as well as individuals and organisations that work with and support young people in WA.
Selfie photo of a group of young people

Youth development programs and services

The Department supports development programs and services for young people through service and grant funding in four key focus areas, to equip young people with essential life skills and enabling them to respond to issues impacting their lives.
photo of a group of young people playing badminton outdoors

Grant funding

The Department provides funding for a diverse range of engagement initiatives within the Youth portfolio to support young people to develop the knowledge and confidence needed to be involved in community life.
Image of a group of young kids in a group photo - dressed in cadet gear with safety helmets - ready to go climbing

Cadets WA

The Cadets WA program provides opportunities for young people to participate in a range of activities including adventure training, camping, hiking and sporting activities while developing leadership and life skills, and a sense of community responsibility and service.

Announcements

Group of attendees at an Interagency meeting in 2024
News story

Inaugural meeting paves way for new WA Youth Action Plan

Yesterday, the Communities’ Youth team hosted the inaugural Youth Action Plan Interagency Working Group workshop - to discuss the findings from the consultation process with young people across the state. These insights helped to identify key priority areas for the 2024 Youth Action Plan.

Find out more

Register with the Young People Connect WA to find out about opportunities for young people and organisations to get involved in, upcoming youth events, feedback and consultation opportunities, and more!

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