Youth advisory groups (YAGs) create opportunities for young people to develop partnerships with leaders of organisations and government departments and share decision-making processes. Young people provide unique and valuable perspectives that many adults may not have considered. But most importantly young people have a right to express their views on issues that impact them!1
Youth advisory groups provide a setting for young people to do this meaningfully and with more direct influence over the outcome.
YAGs enable organisations to work with young people from the target audience of their services or work to help inform and shape projects to meet the needs of other young people who will be using the service.
It’s crucial to anticipate ethical considerations before and during the creation of the YAG. Refer to the Safety section of YERP and the Code of Ethical Practice for more info on this.
YAGs work best when all members of the group have a strong sense of belonging and feel that their advice is valued and heard.
Some ways to assist with this:
- The purpose of the YAG is clearly outlined and communicated from the start, alongside the commitments, expectations, and workload required.
- Actively address power imbalances between workers and young people from the outset.
- Ensure that you’re creating a safe space where all young people, including those from diverse groups, feel supported and welcome.
- Provide opportunities for young people to develop their skills! This could include arranging for them to attend professional development workshops and trainings.
- Young people are involved in the design, decision-making, and recruitment of groups.
- Young people’s attendance and participation is supported through considering accessibility, other commitments, transport, and accommodation.
- Some organisations may have already established YAGs that can inform your project if appropriate, and working in partnership with these organisations can offer great support and insight.1
The Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP) have a guide to establishing a children and young people advisory group. Check it out on their website.
The guide covers:
- why we should include children and young people in decision-making
- determining why you want to establish a children and young people’s advisory group
- recruitment and selection of members
- induction of the group
- practicalities of managing the group
- ethical issues
- supporting the group
- sustaining the group
- checklist
- top ten tips.2
The Young and Resilient Research Centre also have a great resource to support the creation of a YAG.
Australian Youth Affairs Coalition's Councils, Committees, and YAGs (oh my!): On Formal Youth Leadership report has great guidance and advice on setting up youth advisory groups.
A group of people in a youth centre socialising. Pride, bisexuality and trans flags hang in the background. To the right of the group is a table of snacks.
Illustration by Neek.
Other advisory groups may come in different forms.
Youth Advisory Councils (YACs) provide ongoing advice and support to local councils on policies and practices that affect young people in the community.
Organisational Boards of Governance can also recruit young people. This can be a great way to include young people in direction and strategic decision-making at a high level. It’s great professional experience for both the young people and the older Board members.
Check out some great case studies of YAG's in action across Australia. There videos are part of the Youth Participation Practice Network, a thriving network of Victorian professionals who are committed to empowering young people through youth participation, youth engagement and supporting the voice of young people.
VEC Advisory Group
Abby from the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC), and Tom who is a member of the Youth Advisory Group at the VEC talk about how they set up their YAG and youth participation broadly at the Commission.
E-Safety Youth Council
Shasha (she/they) and Emma (she/her) from the eSafety Commissioner, along with Nicky (he/him), an eSafety Youth Council Alumni member, share how the Council was formed, the logistics of running a Youth Council across Australia and the incredible opportunities and experiences members have had
Merri Health: Youth Carer Gateway Advisory Group
Georgia Gardner (they/them) Young Carer Advisor from Merri Health gives an overview of Merri Health's piloted Carer Gateway Advisory Group and Young Carer Gateway Advisory Group to embed consumer voices, especially young carers, at the heart of their work and service development.
- Young and Resilient Research Centre. (2023). Mini Guide Youth Advisory Groups. https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/1986196/Mini_Guide_Youth_Advisory_Groups_1.pdf
- Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People, (25 May 2021). A Guide to Establishing a Children and Young People’s Advisory Group. https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/522228/REPORT_Establishing%20Advisory%20Group_25.05.21.pdf