Australia’s future leaders are encouraged to apply for The Y NSW’s Youth Parliament Program for 2024, with submissions opening on 24 November 2023.

The program is open to students in Years 10, 11 and 12, or equivalent age, across NSW. The program offers a rare opportunity for students to participate in the democratic process and gain firsthand experience in the inner workings of parliament.

Students don’t need any experience to apply, and applications from diverse backgrounds can receive financial sponsorships, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those living with a disability, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, those experiencing financial hardship, living in out-of-home care or rural areas, and refugee and asylum-seekers.

Executive director and interim CEO of The Y NSW, Prue Warrilow said participants will get the opportunity to draft, debate and advocate for mock youth-focused legislation.

“Young parliamentarians also participate in a training camp in April and a sitting held in July in NSW Parliament next year,” she said. 

“The Y then works actively to coordinate opportunities for the participants to present their Youth Bills to Ministers and other community leaders for consideration,”

Youth Parliament has seen more than 1000 participants in the program over the last decade. 

Three high school students from the Kiama LGA were selected in the 2023 program, Daniel, Finlay and Alyssa, where they got the chance to debate and discuss issues they were actually interested in, including transport accessibility for people living with a disability, the ongoing impact of COVID-19, and protesting rights.