Each year, around 400 young people take part in the Y’s Youth Parliament program, held in Parliament Houses across Australia. Participants step into the roles of elected representatives, developing, debating and voting on bills in a simulated parliamentary process. 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the continuous operation of the Youth Parliament program in Australia.
Designed for young people aged 16–25, the program provides opportunities to build leadership skills, better understand democracy and raise issues affecting young Australians directly with government decision-makers. Each year, participants also debate a shared National Matter of Public Importance (MPI), focused on issues impacting young people and their communities.
Youth Parliament is one of the Y’s flagship national programs and is now delivered annually across Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania. The first program was held in Brisbane in 1963, before becoming an annual program in Melbourne in 1986.
Between 2012 and 2017, the Y also delivered the National Indigenous Youth Parliament in Canberra, supporting greater Indigenous participation in civic and electoral processes.
2026 National Youth Parliament
Empowering Young Australians to Lead National Change
National Youth Parliament gives young people aged 16-17 the opportunity to engage with Australia’s democratic system in a practical but inspiring way. Participants explore current social issues, develop policy proposals, and debate them in a parliamentary setting, gaining skills in leadership, collaboration and advocacy that extend well beyond the program.
Youth Parliament:
- Connects young Australians directly to national civic life, making government more accessible and relevant
- Amplifies youth voice by creating meaningful pathways for young people to contribute to issues that shape their communities
- Fosters respect, inclusion and active citizenship.
Applications for the 2026 Youth Parliament are currently closed.
We’d like to thank our partners, the Australian Government and the Speaker’s Office – for their support in bringing this program to life.
The national opportunity reflects more than forty years of the Y’s leadership in youth empowerment, and we are honoured to be the trusted partner of government to deliver this program.
State Youth Parliaments
Youth Parliament is one of the Y’s flagship national programs, held annually in every state and territory across Australia. The first youth parliament meeting took place in Brisbane, in 1963, and then officially commenced annually starting in Melbourne at the Victorian Parliament House in 1986. Youth Parliament is now held across Australia in Vic, Qld, NSW, WA, SA, NT & Tas. The Y has also run National Indigenous Youth Parliament (NIYP) in Canberra between 2012 – 2017, with a specific focus on indigenous participation in electoral voting (see more information below).
Participants receive training in public speaking and leadership at residential camps, as they research the issues they’re passionate about. The programs provide young people with a great personal and professional development opportunity.
Youth Parliament is also an opportunity for young people to have their voices heard. Several bills debated and conceptualised through Youth Parliament programs have become policy including safety measures for cyclists and nightclubs, environmental policy concerning single use plastics and free public transport for under 18s.
The program has seen over 10,000 participants to date, and was originally founded by David Davis, OAM. See full interview here.
Indigenous Youth Parliament
The National Indigenous Youth Parliament (NIYP) was a partnership project with the Australian Electoral Commission, and the Y. This was an arm of the Y Youth Parliament program designed specifically for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16 to 25 who were interested in learning about Australia’s democracy. It complemented the state based programs which also included and still includes many Indigenous young people. The aim of the program was to help empower young Indigenous Australians in electoral participation. The NIYP was held between 2012 – 2017.
“We learned that we all have the power to make a difference”
Audrey Inkamala, Indigenous Youth Parliament Participant, 2014.
Some of the highlights from previous years
Young Voices Shaping The Future
Youth Parliament gives young people the opportunity to speak up on the issues that matter most to them and their communities.
Leadership Starts With Participation
Through hands-on parliamentary experience, public speaking and leadership training, participants build confidence, skills and lifelong connections.
More Than a Debate Program
From researching community issues to debating bills in Parliament House, Youth Parliament empowers young people to turn passion into meaningful change.
Explore the Youth Parliaments across Australia
Explore our other initiatives
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