What We Do
For Young People
Real voices. influence. change.
Young and Wise
At ARACY, we believe young people are experts in their own lives.
Your experiences, ideas and solutions matter — not just in conversations about you, but in the decisions that shape Australia’s future.
Young and Wise is how we make sure your voice doesn’t just get heard — it creates impact.
What is Young and Wise?
Young and Wise is ARACY’s youth-led initiative that brings young people together with researchers, policymakers and decision-makers to shape policies that affect you.
We create paid, supported opportunities for young people to:
Share lived experience
Influence real policy decisions
Connect with decision-makers
Help design better systems for young people
This isn’t a token consultation. It’s meaningful, structured engagement designed to lead to change.
The Young and Wise Report
The Young and Wise Report captures what young people across Australia have told us about their lives — what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change.
Find out more
Young and Wise Roundtables
The Young and Wise Roundtables bring young people directly into conversation with decision-makers.
These are paid, youth-led sessions where your lived experience helps shape real policy conversations.
Find out more
The Young and Wise Report
The Young and Wise Report captures what young people across Australia have told us about their lives — what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change.
It highlights key issues young people care about, including:
Mental health and wellbeing
Education and pathways
Cost of living and housing
Climate and the future
Inclusion, identity and belonging
The report shares real insights and clear recommendations for governments and organisations.
👉 Read the Young and Wise Report
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Young and Wise Roundtables
The Young and Wise Roundtables bring young people directly into conversation with decision-makers.
These are paid, youth-led sessions where your lived experience helps shape real policy conversations.
In 2026, we’ll have lots of opportunities for young people to have their voices heard.
Young and Wise creates safe, supported and paid opportunities for you to:
Share your story and ideas
Speak directly with decision-makers
Shape policy conversations
Connect with other young leaders
Build skills and confidence
If you’re under 25 and want to influence decisions that affect young people, this is your opportunity.
Apply for the Young and Wise Roundtables
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Why your voice matters
Too often, policies are made about young people without young people at the table.
Young and Wise changes that.
Your experiences help decision-makers understand:
What support actually works
Where systems are falling short
What needs to change for young people to thrive
This is about shaping a future that reflects your reality — not assumptions.
Sign up for all the latest news and opportunities
Under 25 and want your voice heard?
Join Young and Wise to stay in the loop on opportunities to share your voice, connect with other young people, and influence real change.
Sign up now to get the latest news, insights on youth health and wellbeing, and ways to get involved!
For Funders, Government and Organisations
Looking for meaningful youth consultation in Australia?
Young and Wise provides evidence-informed, structured youth engagement that moves beyond one-off surveys or symbolic participation.
We support organisations to:
Integrate lived experience into policy development
Strengthen youth participation frameworks
Design more effective programs
Improve outcomes for children and young people
Align consultation with wellbeing and prevention approaches
Our approach reflects ARACY’s commitment to collaboration, systems change and child and youth wellbeing.
Why meaningful youth engagement matters
Good policy requires the voices of those most affected by it.
Research consistently shows that when young people are meaningfully involved in policy design:
Programs are more relevant
Implementation improves
Trust increases
Long-term outcomes strengthen
Young and Wise connects lived experience with decision-making in structured, facilitated environments designed for real influence.
Partner with Young and Wise
We partner with government departments, peak bodies and community organisations seeking:
Youth roundtables
Lived experience advisory input
Co-design processes
Report insights and evidence translation
Ongoing youth engagement strategy
If your organisation wants to move beyond consultation toward integration, we’d love to connect.
Want to Amplify Young Voices in Your Work?
We’re ready to partner with you to apply Young and Wise and The Nest in your organisation.
Frequently asked questions
What is youth consultation?
Youth consultation is the structured involvement of young people in decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their lived experience informs policy, programs and services.
What makes Young and Wise different?
Young and Wise puts young people at the centre. We provide paid participation, structured facilitation, and direct opportunities to engage with decision-makers. We focus on real impact, not tokenism — listening carefully and sharing young people’s voices exactly as they express them, without interpretation or filtering.
Who can participate?
Young people aged under 25 across Australia. Specific roundtables prioritise particular cohorts to ensure equity and representation.
How does Young and Wise influence policy?
Insights are synthesised into reports, briefings and direct discussions with government and sector leaders, ensuring young people’s voices are embedded in decision-making processes.
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Are you a young person passionate about making a difference?
Or are you an organisation looking to collaborate to strengthen youth voices?
ARACY's The Nest
What's in The Nest?
With six connected areas, The Nest ensures young Australians have everything they need for the best start in life, helping them reach their highest potential.
Our Nest projects
Using The Nest, has helped ARACY to be at the forefront of disease prevention and the promotion of holistic health for young Australians.
The Nest initiatives
Here you’ll see some examples of how The Nest has been used in organisations outside of ARACY across Australia.