What We Do
Young and Wise Roundtables
We believe young people must have a voice in shaping the policies and initiatives that impact them.
The Young and Wise Roundtables brings together a diverse group of young people to share their lived experiences, insights, and ideas on issues that matter to them. By working collaboratively with policymakers, researchers, and advocates, the Young and Wise roundtables ensure that youth perspectives are embedded in decision-making processes, helping to create a future where all young Australians can thrive.
Building on our ground-breaking Young and Wise Report – which synthesised five years worth of what children and young people have said they need to thrive – we partnered with the Department of Health (with HPAB funding) in early 2025 to host deep-dive roundtables on:
- Mental Health and the Social Media Age Restrictions,
- Priorities for the Federal Budget and ARACY,
- Alcohol and Other Drugs,
- Sexual Health and Contraception
- Nutrition
Read the roundtable reports
Young people shared consistent calls for inclusive, accessible, and youth-led approaches to health, wellbeing, and policy.
They identified systemic barriers such as cost, stigma, inconsistent education, and inaccessible services, while offering practical, real-world solutions grounded in lived experience.
With over 62 participants aged from 14 to 25 from all around Australia with diverse characteristics, this is what they had to say.
Thank you to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing staff who supported this work. Funding is provided under the Health Peak and Advisory Bodies Program.
More roundtables are coming soon, join our Young and Wise group to be the first to know!
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Are you a young person passionate about making a difference?
Or are you an organisation looking to collaborate to strengthen youth voices?
WHAT WE DO
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.