The Department will have a new website early December 2008 (www.deewr.gov.au) which is the first step in creating a single publishing and access point for portfolio information. The new design provides a richer source of information and news than our current internet presence. Your feedback is welcome and will help further shape the site in the future.
The Office for Youth has a strategic role that extends across the boundaries of any one Australian Government portfolio. This work is designed enable a greater focus on youth affairs through identification of key issues impacting on young Australians.
The Office for Youth’s whole of government work identifies opportunities for better integration of policy and programs settings across the Australian Government and monitors the impacts of these on young people. Through early engagement in the policy development process, the Office for Youth ensures that the Government’s considerable investment in young people is evidence-based, strategic, coherent and effective.
The Office for Youth focuses on key issues or priority areas where evidence demonstrates a need for Government intervention. The Office for Youth’s workplan details the key areas of focus for the following 12 months.
Further information on the Office for Youth’s work can be found at www.deewr.gov.au/officeforyouth.
On October 2nd The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Youth, launched a new youth initiative – the Australian Youth Forum (AYF). In the 2008-2009 Federal Budget, the Government provided $8 million over four years for the development and implementation of the AYF.
The Australian Youth Forum will enable young people, and the youth sector, to engage in public discussions about issues important to all Australians and the society as a whole. The AYF is breaking new ground in communicating with young people through its approach of being relevant and accessible to all young Australians.
The AYF is structured to achieve two primary objectives: 1) Widespread youth engagement across the country and 2) Meaningful and ongoing engagement with the youth sector- those individuals and organisations that work with and for young people.
These two objectives will be achieved through a number of local public policy forums held at multiple sites around the country. These forums will be open to all young Australians and link them in a nationwide conversation and debate with the use of emerging technologies.
An outreach initiative will focus on involving the disengaged young people and those who may have special needs. It will aim at meeting with young people “where they live”, on their own turf.
The AYF website will allow young people to connect with the Government online, irrespective of where they live and at the time that suits them.
These proactive approaches will provide the government with regular, direct input on key issues of the day that impact directly on young people’s lives.
A Steering Committee has been established to provide advice on the future shape and activities of the Australian Youth Forum, and give young people the chance to be directly involved in decision making processes about the AYF. In addition to the Steering Committee, the Government has committed $400,000 annually over the next four years to support the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition in its role as an independent national youth peak body and advocate of young people and the youth sector.
The AYF website is an innovative, interactive and youth-oriented site for the online engagement of young people. Any young person may be involved in the AYF through the website and get information about AYF activities as they happen. The website can be accessed at www.youth.gov.au/ayf.
The Youth Summit was an opportunity for young Australians to engage in discussions about the nation’s future directions, in particular on the 10 critical areas that were to be discussed at the Australia 2020 Summit hosted by the Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP.
The Office for Youth has commenced a detailed analysis of the Youth Summit outcomes across DEEWR and further investigation will be carried out across portfolios to ensure the Australian Government is able to respond to the top 10 ideas put forward by the Youth Summit delegates by the end of 2008. As representatives of their respective topic streams, 11 delegates, along with co-Chair, Mr Hugh Evans, returned to Canberra the following weekend to attend the Australia 2020 Summit.
A copy of the Youth Summit communiqué is available at http://www.australia2020.gov.au/youth/.
NYW is the largest single celebration of young people on the Australian calendar and has run annually since 2000 as a joint initiative of Australian, State, Territory and Local Governments. The aim of the week is to encourage young Australians aged 12-25 to celebrate their youth, recognise the contributions they make to their communities and provide an opportunity for young Australians to voice concerns or issues relevant to them. National Youth Week 2009 will run from 28 March till 5 April. Information about NYW is available at http://www.youthweek.com.au/.
NYARS was established in 1985, and is a co-operative research program between the Australian Government and state/territory governments. NYARS produces nationally based research on issues and topics affecting young people (12-25 years). NYARS research reports provide governments and the youth sector with an evidence base on youth issues.
Current NYARS research projects include:
- Young people (12-17 years) and Financial Debt
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Young People and Mentoring
- Young people and Online Communication
- Diversity in Young People's Participation in Government and Community Decision-making
- Young Carers - their Characteristics and Geographical Distribution
Previous NYARS reports are now available.
ACYS is a national resource for sourcing the most current topics, information and practices in the youth field. It is the only clearinghouse dedicated to youth issues in Australia. The main role of ACYS is to make youth information available and accessible to the community, as well as providing a networking capacity for those working in the youth field. The Australian Government provides funding for youth clearinghouse services to support the youth sector, including the youth organisations, youth workers, youth researchers and young people themselves.
There are three main ACYS products and services:
The Office for Youth also administers a range of programs that help vulnerable young Australians to improve their level of engagement and to overcome barriers to participation with their families and the community. These programs include:
- Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA)
- YouthLinx
- Mentor Marketplace Program
YouthLinx is a prevention and early intervention program that supports young people aged 11 to 16 and their families build self reliance, strengthen their family relationships and encourage community involvement. YouthLinx provides innovative and structured activities and positive peer support to young people, mainly outside school hours and during school holidays. Practical support and guidance is also provided to families. The YouthLinx allocation for 2008-09 is approximately $7 million.
The Mentor Marketplace Program encourages the use of mentoring activities to improve outcomes for young people, particularly those at greatest risk of disconnection from their families, community, education and work. The Australian Government has provided $12 million for the Mentor Marketplace Program over four years ending 30 June 2009. The program currently has funding agreements with 26 service providers across Australia.
TILA aims to ensure that young people exiting formal/informal care are assisted to transition to independent living through enhanced access to accommodation, employment/education and the development of life skills/knowledge. TILA (The Allowance) of up to $1,000 is available to young people, aged between 15 to 25 years who are about to, or have exited, state-based care and/or informal care such as:
- Juvenile justice
- Out-of-home care; or
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Kinship care arrangements.
More information regarding this program, including the latest application form, is available at www.tila.org.au. Eligibility enquiries can also be directed to the TILA Helpdesk on 1800 624 309.