PRINCIPLES
1. All young people have the right to participate, fully and actively, in community life and in the development and implementation of policies and decisions that affect them.
2. Government policy should provide all young people with equitable access to opportunities and resources.
3. Evidenced-based policies that emphasise prevention and early intervention help protect young people who are vulnerable or at risk of harm. Investment in such policies today not only supports young people, but reduces the personal, social and financial costs of dealing with the consequences of crime, unemployment and drug abuse.
4. All young people have the right to access quality services they need regardless of where they live or their socio-economic status.
AIMS
1. Greater coordination and cooperation between national, state and local governments and young people and youth advocacy and support agencies in relation to policies that impact young people.
2. Improved programs and services that redress the inequities faced by First Nations young people.
3. Policies and institutions that encourage young people to participate in all aspects of political life and policymaking, helping them to develop decision-making and leadership skills. This should be promoted by requiring that all schools implement initiatives that support students to understand democratic citizenship and the electoral process, and to take part in school and community decision-making.
4. Optional voting at state level for those aged 16 and 17 years.
5. Greater promotion and public recognition of the diverse and positive contributions that young people make to their communities and to the political and cultural life of Victoria.
6. Additional resources to enable state and local governments to employ and involve more youth workers in providing vital services such as housing, training, youth justice and alcohol and drug treatment.
7. Increased employment opportunities for young people across Victoria.
8. Improve the quality of working life for young people by such means as promoting union membership and requiring employers to provide opportunities for apprenticeships and accredited training to young employees.
9. Additional training and resources for police, legal and care professionals with the priority aim of keeping young people out of the criminal justice system while providing them with forms of support that will significantly reduce the risk of re-offending.
10. Increased provision of government, social and private rental housing for young people that is secure, affordable and appropriate for those in transition from at-risk situations. Access should be supported by appropriate forms of public rental support.
11. Improved provision of and access to specialist health services for young people, including specialist services for LGBTIQA+ youth.
Youth Policy as amended by State Council on 19th March 2022.