Australia opens national youth survey to shape new government strategy

Australia has invited young people aged 12 to 25 to help shape the country’s future through the 2026 National Youth Survey, with their feedback set to inform the government’s next Youth Strategy, scheduled to begin in 2027.

Launched on October 19, the survey coincides with Parliament Meets Youth Week, an initiative that brings parliamentarians and young people together to discuss issues affecting their lives and encourage greater participation in policymaking.

Developed by the Office for Youth, the survey offers young Australians an opportunity to express their views on key challenges and priorities, including artificial intelligence and its impact on daily life, mental health and wellbeing, climate change and sustainability, economic and housing security, and education and training.

The findings will help determine the priorities and scope of the Australian Government’s new Youth Strategy, which will follow the conclusion of the current strategy, Engage!, in 2027.

The government said the existing strategy has expanded opportunities for young people to contribute to public policies, programmes and services. According to the Office for Youth, 70% of participants in its programmes reported that they had influenced a government policy or programme.

Feedback gathered through the latest survey is expected to guide the next phase of youth engagement, with the government aiming to ensure young people have a meaningful role in decisions that affect their lives and Australia's future.

Young people encouraged to participate

Minister for Youth Jess Walsh said young people had an important role to play in shaping Australia’s future and deserved to have their voices heard.

“Their voices matter and their ideas can make a real difference,” Walsh said, encouraging those aged 12 to 25 to participate in the survey.

She said the Albanese Labor Government was creating more opportunities for young people to influence decisions affecting them and urged them to share their views.

The National Youth Survey is open from October 19 to December 14, 2026. Young people can participate through the Digital Youth Hub at youth.gov.ad