Get Involved
Young and Wise First Nations Series 2 Roundtable
Expression of Interest (EOI) First Nations Roundtable
Join ARACY’s First Nations 2026 Young and Wise Roundtable
ARACY, in partnership with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, is inviting young people to apply to be part of the 2026 Young and Wise Roundtables — paid, youth-led conversations where lived experience directly shapes the decisions that affect young people.
What you need to know:
- This roundtable centres the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, creating a culturally safe space to share what matters, what needs to change, and what works.
- No formal qualifications needed — your lived experience is the expertise.
- Participants will receive a $50 honorarium, and we’ll work with you to meet any accessibility needs so you can take part safely and comfortably.
- Roundtables will be held after 5 pm on a weekday during April or May (exact date to be confirmed with participants)
- EOIs close 28th February
Young and Wise exists so that policy, research and systems are shaped with young people — not just about them.
Ready to get involved?
We’d really love to get to know you. Submitting a short video is our preferred option, as it helps us hear your voice and story more directly. Just be yourself!
If a video application doesn’t feel right for you, feel free to apply by filling in the form below.
Choose whichever option feels most comfortable for you.
Fill in the form below to express your interest
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The Nest embodies ARACY’s vision for the wellbeing, including the health, of all young Australians. It recognises every facet of a child’s life as integral to preventing diseases, intervening early, and ultimately creating the right conditions to thrive.
With six connected areas (Healthy, Valued, Loved and Safe, Material Basics, Learning, Participating, Positive Sense of Identity and Culture), The Nest ensures young Australians have everything they need for the best start in life, helping them reach their highest potential.
Watch the video to learn more.
More Information
What are the Young and Wise Roundtables?
The Roundtables bring together young people and decision-makers to talk honestly about what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change. Your insights help inform national advice and reports that ARACY shares with government and sector leaders.
Why submit an Expression of Interest?
By submitting an EOI, you can:
- Receive a $50 honorarium in recognition of your time if selected to participate
Share what matters most to you and your community
Help shape the questions and themes explored in Series 2
Contribute to national conversations that influence policy and practice
Be the first to receive the final Young and Wise report and insights
Be considered for future opportunities with ARACY, including advisory roles and partnerships
Your voice helps ensure decisions reflect real experiences, not assumptions.
Who can apply?
You can submit an EOI if you:
Are a young person 8–24
Live in Australia
Identify with one or more of the priority cohorts listed above
Want to share your experiences to help create fairer systems for young people
We welcome young people with different communication styles and support needs.
Accessibility and cultural safety are core to how the Roundtables are designed.
What happens next?
Submitting an EOI doesn’t mean you’re committing to anything straight away.
After EOIs close:
ARACY will review submissions to ensure a diverse mix of voices
Selected participants will be contacted with more information
All applicants will be kept informed about future Young and Wise opportunities
Click here to read more about the roundtables
If you have questions or need support to apply, you can contact us at communications@aracy.org.au
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?
Submissions for series 2 of the ARACY Young and Wise Roundtables have now closed.
Please subscribe to our mailing list to be kept up to date with more opportunities to have your voice heard.
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.