What is Youth Week?
Youth Week is a week-long celebration held in early April each year that is organised by young people, for young people, in communities across the state.
Youth Week began as a NSW Government initiative in 1989, and has since grown to be a celebration of young people in every state and territory across the country.
It is organised by young people, for young people, in communities across NSW and Australia. Following the success of the NSW Youth Week program, Youth Week became a national event in 2000. National Youth Week is jointly supported by the Australian government, state and territory governments and local governments.
If you’re aged between 12 -24, Youth Week is an opportunity to:
- share ideas
- attend live events
- have your voice heard on issues of concern to you
- showcase your talents
- celebrate your contribution to the community
- take part in competitions
- have fun!
In 2019, an estimated 73,900 young people participated in Youth Week activities which took place between 10-18 April 2019. Over 740 events of varying sizes and activities were held.
Who is responsible for Youth Week in New South Wales?
The NSW Government invites all local councils in NSW to jointly fund Youth Week activities in their area. As part of their funding agreement with the NSW Government, councils agree to involve young people in all aspects of Youth Week, including the planning, development and management of activities.
Youth Week is managed at a state level by the Youth Week Coordinator (located in the Youth Strategy and Participation Unit, Participation and Inclusion, Department of Family and Community Services) in conjunction with the NSW Youth Week committee. The committee is responsible for providing advice on the management and operation of Youth Week in NSW. If you'd like to get in touch, please contact us.
Frequently asked questions about Youth Week
Express. Empower. Get loud!
Express – Youth week is a chance for every young person from across NSW to be themselves! It gives young people the opportunity to showcase their talents and getting involved.
Empower – It’s time for young people in NSW to have their voices heard on issues that matter to you. Register here to participate in the Advocate for Children and Young People’s opportunities to have your say.
Get loud! – Get loud and celebrate together at local community events happening in your local community and across NSW.
Youth across NSW should stand up and get loud together during Youth Week.
Yes, you can attend any Youth Week activities outside your local council.
Youth Week is a collaboration between local councils, the Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP), the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and NSW Department of Customer Service.
Youth Week is for young people aged between 12 to 24 years. Some local councils are running age specific activities, programs, and events.
Please check out your local council’s activities and programs for young people under 12 to find age-appropriate activities. If you are unsure what activities or programs are suitable for you, contact your local council.
As a first step, go to the NSW Youth Week event listing page and type in your suburb or post code into the search box. You are welcome to directly contact your local council as well.
Check out your local council website for more information regarding accessibility requirements and costs for each Youth Week event. You are welcome to contact your local council for more information.
We welcome all carers and support workers to attend at Youth Week activities with a young person. Please contact your local council for specific event information.
We welcome all children and young people to share their ideas with their local councils. If you are unable to source contact details from events already posted by your local Council here, please reach out to your local Council and ask to speak with their Youth Development Officer.