Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are experts in their own lives, with invaluable insights into what their communities need.
Too often, their voices aren’t heard at the table to inform the national policies and programs that impact their lives.
That’s why SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children is establishing a Youth Voice – a platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to shape and contribute to SNAICC’s work as the national peak.
All Australians deserve the right to be heard in decisions that impact their lives. The Youth Voice will mean SNAICC has an official mechanism to be guided by young mob.
There is nothing more important than creating real opportunities for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals to shape national policies and programs that impact them, and that’s what we’re trying to create.
SNAICC’s core work lies in policy, research, program delivery, and national advocacy around child protection and family wellbeing. In doing that work, we have a responsibility to be led by young people about matters that are important to them.
Our government systems and policymakers also share that same responsibility.
While the direction and priorities of the Youth Voice will be informed by its members, we anticipate its work will help identify key policy, advocacy, and program priorities.
It will also provide feedback on projects and programs and guide SNAICC’s advocacy to ensure it reflects what truly matters to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
But what that really looks like in practice is a safe and supportive space where young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can share their ideas and experiences.
By involving youth in decision-making processes, SNAICC ensures that the voices of the next generation are not only heard but are central to driving real change.
For us, this extends beyond mere participation. It is about creating a reciprocal environment where young people can be equipped with the tools, skills, and connections to become leaders in their communities and beyond.
That’s how we foster long-term, generational change.
This developing Youth Voice enables young people to have greater power over their futures and ensures that young people’s voices are at the heart of the decisions that affect them.
One of our Youth Advisory Group members put it perfectly when they said, “I wish people in Government knew how smart we are, how much knowledge we have and what we can do to change the world and Australia.”
Another told us: “I guess what most people don’t realise is that young people – we know what we want, while we are still young and we have not been on this earth for so long, we’ve lived a couple years and we have seen how these systems are impacting us and we know what change we want to see so rather than sitting there saying we know everything, finally listen, hey.”
So, as this sector and our nation move forward, let’s listen to our passionate young people who have vital knowledge that is key to closing the gap.
Our incredible young people want to be, and must be, part of change-making and guiding that journey.”
To learn more about the SNAICC Youth Voice or get involved, visit the Youth Voice at the SNAICC website.
About the author
Joel Matysek is SNAICC’s Youth Voice Policy and Engagement Lead.
About the artwork
Created for SNAICC’s Youth Voice initiative, this artwork represents the strength, leadership, and unity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people coming together to shape the future. The Youth Voice project centres young people in national advocacy and policy, creating supported spaces for them to be heard and lead.
In this piece, two silhouetted figures represent young people from different places who have each made a journey—walking across Country to meet at the top of a hill or mountain. The peak represents clarity, courage, and perspective. As they meet in the middle, they begin an important conversation, ready to look ahead and unlock new possibilities together. It symbolises young people rising, connecting, and stepping into a shared space to start shaping change together. Their meeting in the middle reflects unity, leadership, and the power of coming together from different backgrounds to create a stronger future.
The surrounding elements reflect connection to land, culture, and community, with layered textures and colours symbolising the diversity of voices and Nations involved.
Tovani Cox is a proud Bunuba, Gija, Karajarri, Yawuru, and Miriwoong woman from the Kimberley region of Western Australia.