Young Victorians (16-25) are invited to apply for the 2025 YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament. Dive into politics, learn how parliament works, and make your voice heard.
Youth Parliamentarians will attend a YMCA Victoria training camp in May to sharpen their skills in writing, debating, and passing Bills. They’ll also build public speaking, critical thinking, communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.
The Victorian Government is investing $160,000 to support this year’s YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament and YMCA Youth Press Gallery programs, including continued support for young people living with a disability can access the program.
We are proud to continue supporting the YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament – to give young Victorians a chance to see how government works and be a part of influencing change. Our support for this platform is part of our ongoing work to make sure young Victorians have a voice and can be heard on the issues that matter to them Minister for Youth, the Hon Natalie Suleyman MP
Victoria 2025 Youth Governor, Lily Trethowan highlighted the significance of the Youth Parliament program and the impact it has on young people.
"A program like Youth Parliament is vital. It reinforces the spirit that has been alive for more than thirty years; that of inspired young people, working together. Every year, though we don't have to, we end up proving that Victoria's young people and their ideas deserve attention and action from our state ministers. Yes, you go to Parliament House, yes, you will have your voice heard there, and yes, you will have fun, and find a renewed hope in what you and your communities are capable of."
Over the past 38 years, Youth Parliament has influenced more than 60 pieces of Victorian legislation, including laws on the morning-after pill, banning single use plastics, and increased Sunday trading hours.
Teams of Youth Parliamentarians will draft, debate, and vote on Bills during a three-day session at the Victorian Parliament in July 2025. Passed Bills will be presented to government ministers for consideration.
Applications open today and close on Sunday 13 October. For more information or to apply, visit the Youth Parliament application page.