The Victorian Government’s announcement that public transport will be free for all under 18s from January 2026 marks a major win for youth-led advocacy, with the policy first proposed, debated, and passed as a Bill in the 2024 YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament.
The Student Public Transport Concession Bill 2024 was put forward by a team from Boroondara Youth Hub, who argued for equitable and accessible transport for all children and teens. The Bill was passed during last year’s Youth Parliament and handed to the Minister for Youth as part of the formal process that sees all passed Bills tabled in the Victorian Parliament.
This is exactly why Youth Parliament exists, to give young people real influence over the decisions that shape their lives. Young people proposed a solution to an issue that matters to them, and now they’re seeing it implemented by government. That’s democracy in action.Kaitlin Woolford YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament Program Director
The YMCA Youth Parliament program is a training ground for the next generation of community leaders. Each year, young people from across Victoria take over the chambers of Parliament House to debate real-world issues and pitch their ideas to government.
The program also has strong support from the Victorian Government. Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman acknowledged its importance at the official launch earlier this year. “The Victorian Youth Parliament is a tremendous opportunity for inspiring young leaders to amplify their voices on the issues that matter most to them with a lasting impact – shaping a better future for all Victorians.”
The 2025 Youth Parliament will return in July.
For more information on the YMCA Victorian Youth Parliament, visit the Youth Parliament website.