What is Youth Voice?
Youth Voice is a space for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to share their ideas on important matters while feeling safe, supported and respected in culture.
SNAICC – National Voice for our Children is establishing a Youth Voice initiative to make sure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people help shape our work on the policies and programs that impact their lives now and for generations to come. The SNAICC Youth Voice is about bringing young people onto our journey of long-term, generational change by giving them the tools, skills and connections to be leaders, influence decisions and make a difference in their communities and at a larger scale.
Young people have the right to be heard. The decisions made today will shape the future, which means young perspectives must be at the centre of policies and programs.
Young people are the experts in their own experiences. Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people know what is needed in their Communities and their voices should be heard to influence governments, organisations and SNAICC, the national peak organisation that represents them.
We will connect with young people in person and online, visiting different Countries and Communities, and work alongside other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to ensure young voices from all over Australia are heard. By listening to young people, we make sure SNAICC’s work and advocacy reflect what truly matters to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Your voice matters and we’re here to make sure it’s louder.
Public submissions
Public Submissions are now open from Monday 14 April 2025 until Friday 13 June 2025.
SNAICC invites Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, youth groups, communities, organisations and services to help shape the SNAICC Youth Voice by making a submission. The process will guide the design of a representative, community-led mechanism driven by the voices and priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples. The submissions form contains only optional questions to support your submission. You can respond in writing or through other formats like audio, video or artwork. Submissions will be kept private and only used to inform the development process. An Outcomes Report will be shared later in 2025.
We want to hear from you. What matters most in your community? What needs to change—and how can we make that change together?
Make your submission and help build a strong Youth Voice.
Make a submissionMore information on Youth Voice
Youth Voice is a key initiative by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, designed to ensure that the work we do reflects the views and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
As the national peak body representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, SNAICC advocates for policies and systems that support young people, children and families. SNAICC pushes for change at all levels of government to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people grow up healthy, strong, safe, and connected to culture and Community.
SNAICC created Youth Voice to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people a platform to voice their concerns on the issues that matter most to them and to make sure young people’s ideas, experiences and goals are at the heart of our work, and provides a safe and supportive space where young people can speak up and drive real change in the policies and programs that affect them.
Youth Voice is being developed with young people for young people. By listening to young people, we make sure SNAICC’s work and advocacy reflect what truly matters to them.
How to contact us
Contact SNAICC at youth@snaicc.org.au if you would like to speak to someone about Youth Voice.