2025 Program Overview
Amplifying the voices of empowered young South Australians to advocate and initiate change
Debate important issues important to South Australians
Develop leadership skills
Create change in your community
ABOUT THE
PROGRAM
YMCA South Australia Youth Parliament is a non-partisan program
providing a platform for young people aged 15-25 to voice their views
on important issues, build leadership skills, parliamentary
understanding, and learn about democracy.
Youth Parliament focuses on personal development, empowering
young people to be advocates for their community and to seek change
by connecting youth voices and opinions with politicians and decision
markers.
The role of a Youth Parliamentarian is a privilege – you will use your
voice to represent young people across the state. Use it wisely.
As a Youth Parliamentarian, you will learn all about parliamentary
process, how to write a bill - and how to debate it in Parliament House.
You will also have the opportunity to build essential skills in public
speaking and working in teams.
Best of all, you will join other young South Australians who want to
learn more about Government and how laws are made, developing
their knowledge to create positive change in their community.
We hope to have a diverse group of young South Australians to
participate in the 2025 YMCA SA Youth Parliament and we can’t wait
to see the range of issues you choose to debate in Parliament House
in July.
This booklet outlines the Youth Parliament journey for participants in
2025. We hope you’re excited!
WHAT HAPPENS AT
YOUTH PARLIAMENT?
Youth Parliamentarians are allocated into
one of eight Ministry's. Each Ministry
meets regularly throughout the program
to develop a Youth Bill aiming to address
an issue important to South Australians.
Together they also learn essentials about
Parliament and democracy,and set
personal and team goals to work
towards.
At Youth Parliament, you will learn all about parliament, democracy and bill
writing. You will develop your public speaking and debate skills and build your
confidence.
Youth Parliament is a platform for young South Australians like yourself to
Make Your Mark on issues and topics that matter to you. The program brings
together young leaders from all across the state. You are part of a passionate
group of people and by collaborating and working together, you can make a
big difference in the South Australian community.
Youth Parliament is an opportunity to
engage with the wider South
Australian public. At Youth Parliament
2025, you will have the opportunity
and support to advocate for your
Youth Bill topic in the community
WHAT IS A
YOUTH BILL?
Youth Parliamentarians work together to write a Youth Bill on a
topic of importance. These Youth Bills are debated in Parliament
House and final copies are presented to the Minister for Youth for
the Government’s consideration.
What can you write a bill or motion about?
In South Australia, the Government is responsible for making laws
in relation to and delivering services in the following areas;
• Health • Agriculture
• State Roads • Food and Fisheries
• Public Transport • Consumer and Business Affairs
• Public Works • Multicultural Affairs
• Primary and Secondary • Youth
Education • Housing
• State Courts • Social Justice
• Public Service • Tourism
• State Taxation • Trade
• Emergency Services • Science and IT
• Police and Correctional Services • Employment and Training
• River Murray • Aboriginal Affairs and
• Environment and Conservation Reconciliation
• Arts • Gambling and Racing
• Volunteers • Recreation and Sport
• Mineral Resources • Higher Education - TAFE
PROGRAM
TIMELINE
March 2025
Your Youth Parliament
30th March 2025 journey begins
Signed consent forms due
April to July 2025 Training weekend
Participants work in their teams, with 26th-27th April 2025
the support of their team mentor, to
write Youth Bills, learn about
parliament and democracy, develop
their leadership skills and learn how
to create change in their community
through completing Training
workshops online.
Your team mentor is your go-to
person if you have any questions
about Youth Parliament. They are
here to support you throughout the
program and to support your
Parliamentary education.
Parliament Week
13th- 18th July 2025
(Sunday-Friday) August 2025
Celebrate a fantastic year!
WHAT WILL I HAVE
TO ATTEND?
TEAM MEETINGS
COMPULSORY (MUST ATTEND)
Successful applicants will be required to work with a team of young people from across
the State in a Committee reflecting a specific policy area. These Ministry’s work together
to develop a Youth Bill on an issue that’s important to them. As such, Youth
Parliamentarians are required to meet frequently with their mentors (a member of
Taskforce) and the rest of their Committee to develop ideas, discuss debate tactics, and
write their Bill during team meetings. It is also a great opportunity to meet everyone
before Training Weekend and learn more about the program.
TRAINING WEEKEND 26th – 27th April
COMPULSORY (MUST ATTEND)
At the end of April, all Youth Parliamentarians come together over the weekend for two
jam-packed days of training to learn all about parliament, democracy, bill writing, public
speaking and more! In addition to equipping you with the technical skills and know-how,
the Training Weekend also focuses on soft skills, personal development and team
building.
Do we stay overnight? No, the Training Weekend is 9am – 5pm both days (Saturday
and Sunday). For regional participants there is accommodation provided.
PARLIAMENT WEEK 13th- 18th July
COMPULSORY (MUST ATTEND)
This is it. The program culminates in a weeklong residential camp, which includes a
formal opening and closing ceremony, debating issues of importance in the House of
Assembly and Legislative Council chambers of Parliament, and the election of the new
Youth Governor. Participants also take part in an amazing and often challenging
recreation program at camp.
Do we stay overnight? Yes, Parliament Week is a residential camp - Sunday to Friday.
Please note: Both the Training Activities and Parliament Week are compulsory to
attend.
ESSENTIAL DATES &
INFORMATION.
Who can apply to be a part of Youth Parliament?
South Australian residents aged 15-25 years.
Where does the YMCA SA Youth Parliament take place?
Both Training Weekend and Parliament Week take place in Adelaide, South
Australia. Accommodation is provided for Parliament Week but is not for
Training Weekend (except for regional participants).
Is there a participation fee for Youth Parliament?
Yes. There is a $550 participant fee which covers meals, accommodation
and transport during Parliament Week.
Can I get assistance with paying the participant fee?
Yes! We do not want the participant fee to be a barrier to participation. If
your application is successful, the dedicated Taskforce which runs the
program can help you seek external sponsorship.
I’m from a regional area, can I participate?
Of course! We also have rural and regional travel scholarships available to
assist in commuting to and from Adelaide.
When do applications close?
Applications are set to close on Monday, 2nd March 2025.
What are the key dates for the program?
Training Weekend: 26th- 27th April 2025 Saturday – Sunday)
Parliament Week: 13th- 18th July 2025 (Sunday-Friday)
Don’t forget to follow us on our socials!
Facebook Instagram Twitter
#youthparliament #YP2025 #makeyourmark
Resources available on the website:
[Link]
empowerment/youth-parliament
If you have any questions, please send an contact
Youth Empowerment at:
Ph: 0422 343 916
youth@[Link]