YACVic is an independent, not-for-profit organisation with core funding provided by the Victorian Government. It’s governed by a volunteer board and run by paid staff. YACVic is a member-driven organisation – members can be individuals or organisations. Any young person who lives, studies or works in Victoria can become a member.

YACVic oversees a number of different programs and projects that support young people and people who work with them. It also carries out research and policy work on issues affecting young people in Victoria. And it can provide consultancy and training and professional development for organisations who involve or work with young people.

Programs and projects

• Koorie Youth Council – the voice of young Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders in Victoria.
• Victorian Rural Youth Services (VRYS) - promotes research, policy development and training to support the rural youth sector.
• Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC) - secondary students from across Victoria who have set up a democratic network of Student Representative Councils. VicSRC is a student run, organised and initiated organisation.
• Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) - works alongside young people with disabilities aged 12 to 25 to raise awareness of their rights, support them to create change and achieve what they want.
• Youth Referral and Independent Person Program (YRIPP) - a Victorian Government funded initiative of the Centre for Multicultural Youth and YACVic, delivered in partnership with Community Legal Centres, UnitingCare and Victoria Police.
• Youth Workers Association – recognises the distinct professional knowledge, skills and specific expertise of Youth Workers.

Policy and publications

Check out all YACVic publications listed by policy area.

Code of Ethical Practice

The Code of Ethical Practice – A First Step for the Victorian Youth Sector is based on a human rights framework and outlines a set of youth work principles and practice responsibilities. The document was developed through consultation with the youth sector and is an important first step towards an agreed framework for what constitutes safe, professional and ethical youth work practice.

Email newsletters

• Announce is YACVic's regular e-bulletin, going out to 1500+ subscribers  across Victoria with the latest news, training, events and employment opportunities.

•  Signposts is a Victorian Rural Youth Service initiative. Sign up for links to terrific new resources, events, training options, surveys and examples of good practice from rural communities.

Get involved

Once you become a member, there are a number of ways you can get involved with YACVic. You can nominate yourself (or another member) to join YACVic’s:

• Board of Governance (BOG): an elected group of members who are responsible for the governance of YACVic.
• Policy Advisory Group (PAG): a group of members who meet to inform and shape the policy work of YACVic.
• Youth Reference Group (YRG): a group of young members (12 to 25 years old) from around Victoria who meet to discuss a broad range of issues relating to young people and plan projects around those issues.

Every year, there are also volunteer opportunities at YACVic.