Youth Programs

The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) manages a range of programmes that help disadvantaged young people (particularly those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness) to improve their level of engagement and to overcome barriers to participation with their families and the community including :

For information on other FaHSCIA programs for youth go to the FaHCSIA website.

SPW is an international partnership of young people working for global change. Working as peer educators, our volunteers partner with local volunteers to address the most pressing needs of impoverished rural communities in India, Nepal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

SPW Australia and Australian Volunteers International are piloting a joint initiative with SPW India. Check out the link for details.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is an international leadership in action programme, available to all young people aged between fourteen and twenty-five. It provides an opportunity for young people to achieve personal excellence and build self-esteem, self-confidence, self-reliance, self-motivation and respect for others via their involvement in service, skill, physical recreation and expedition activities.

The Federal Government will spend more than $600, 000 expanding the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Australia in the hope of raising annual participations in the program from 15,000 people to 25,000 by 2010. More than 250,000 Australians have completed the program since it was introduced in 1958.

Young Achievement Australia provides unique opportunities for young Australians to actively participate business learning programs that are free of charge. Participants in these programs are eligible to win awards such as Young Business Person of the Year and Company of the Year.

YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament - If you are aged 15-25 and live in Queensland the YMCA Youth Parliament can provide you with the opportunity to have your say in Queenland's Parliament House.

World Youth International is a South Australian based charitable organisation that offers people over the age of 18 the opportunity to travel to a developing country and volunteer in a meaningful way. They offer a range of programs and styles of placements to countries including Kenya, Nepal, Peru and China!

The Young BizStar Competition 2007 is open to young business entrepreneurs in NSW aged 18 to 35 who have a business idea or who have just started a business. Short-listed young entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to an expert business panel in the final in Sydney and have a chance to win a business support package valued at more than $6,000. Entries close Friday 24 August 2007.