The NSW Youth Advisory Council (YAC) plays an important role in advising the NSW Government on issues that are relevant to young people across the state.
Membership of the YAC is open to all children and young people between 12 and 24 years of age residing in NSW. Applications are sought young people with diverse backgrounds and life experiences, from across NSW.
The 12 member YAC provides a direct avenue of communication between young people and the NSW Government.
The YAC meets regularly throughout the year to provide advice to the relevant Minister, and the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People, on issues, policies and laws that affect children and young people in NSW.
All young people living in NSW from 12 to 24 years of age may apply. Applications are sought from young people with diverse backgrounds and life experiences, from across NSW.
Council members meet once every 4-6 weeks throughout the year to discuss a range of topics and monitor and evaluate polices and legislation affecting children and young people. Some of these meetings are in person in Sydney with travel costs covered by ACYP. Some of these meetings are online to progress work.
Members also consult with children and young people, community groups and government agencies on issues concerning children and young people, and conduct forums, approved by the Minister on issues relevant to children and young people.
You will have the opportunity to submit either a written or video submission.
If you will be submitting a written application, once you start your application you will need to complete it in one go, so you might like to prepare your answers in a word document and then copy and paste them into the application when you are ready. Make sure you answer all questions. The whole application process should take no longer than 10 minutes.
The main questions to prepare for are:
As a guide, your answers should be no more than 250 words.
If you need any assistance with completing the application, please contact the office on 9248 0970, or acyp@acyp.nsw.gov.au
Please enter your email details below if you would like to be invited to apply for next year's YAC.
To be invited to apply for the 2026 YAC, please enter your email address below.
If you have any questions feel free to contact the office on 9248 0970, or acyp@acyp.nsw.gov.au
P: 02 9248 0970
NSW Advocate for Children and Young People
Ground Floor, 219-241 Cleveland Street, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
The Advocate for Children and Young People is under the DCJ ABN 36 433 875 185.
P: 02 9248 0943 or 0439 346 249
Follow the link below to register so you can receive updates and invitations from the Advocate
We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the First Nations Peoples of NSW and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future.
Informed by lessons of the past, ACYP is improving how we work with Aboriginal people and communities. We listen and learn from the knowledge, strength and resilience of Stolen Generations Survivors, Aboriginal Elders and Aboriginal communities.
