Youth Advisory Council

Join a community of young people who are leading change, shaping services and creating a better future for their peers.

The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a group of passionate young people who provide advice, share ideas, and help influence how our services, programs, events and resources are developed and delivered.

YAC members can get involved in things like planning events, giving feedback on services, helping with staff recruitment, speaking at community events and making sure young people's voices are heard in decision-making.

Your voice matters. Your ideas matter.
Your impact starts here.

Read below for what's required
and how to apply.

Regular YAC meetings are the core of being a Youth Advisory Council member. These meetings are where members come together to share ideas, provide feedback, discuss issues affecting young people, and help guide the work of headspace.


In meetings, you might be involved in;

  • Providing feedback on service delivery, resources, centre environment, and young people's experiences of care

  • Advising on community engagement activities, awareness campaigns, and promotional materials

  • Coming up with ideas, or helping to create content for social media

  • Helping plan events, campaigns and activities that are relevant and meaningful for young people



Beyond meetings, there are a range of opportunities for members who would like to become more involved. Depending on your interests and availability, you might like to;

  • Participate in workshops, panels, speaking engagements, and advocacy initiatives

  • Represent young people at consortium meetings and other consultation opportunities

  • Participate in recruitment activities such as interview panels for staff positions

  • Help the Community Engagement Team deliver events 

  • Attend service planning days with the headspace Clinical Teams

 

Being part of the Youth Advisory Council is a rewarding opportunity, but it does involve a commitment to actively participate and contribute.

As a YAC member, you'll be asked to:

  • Attend regular YAC meetings (8 per year) face to face at headspace Southport
  • Share your ideas, feedback, experience perspectives
  • Treat other members with respect and help create a safe, inclusive environment
  • Participate in projects, consultations and opportunities that interest you
  • Communicate with the YAC facilitators if you're unable to attend or need support
  • Work collaboratively with other young people and headspace staff
  • Actively contribute to discussions that help improve services for young people

 

 

Across 8 meetings in 2026, you will help lead projects, plan events, build campaigns, give feedback and ultimately, make a big impact at headspace Southport and in the community.
Check out the headspace Southport 2026 Youth Advisory Council Meeting Roadmap, showcasing some of the topics you will be learning about when signing up to YAC.

The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is for young people aged 15–25 who want to make a difference in their community, build new skills, meet like-minded people, and have a say in the future of youth mental health services.

Whether you're passionate about advocacy, interested in event planning, keen to develop leadership skills, or simply want your voice heard, YAC provides opportunities to share ideas, work on projects, support community events, and help shape the services and supports available to young people.

We want YAC to reflect the diversity of our community and welcome applications from young people with a range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences.

We are particularly interested in hearing from:

  • Young people with lived experience of mental health challenges
  • Young people who have accessed headspace services
  • Representatives from local schools, TAFEs, universities, or other education settings
  • First Nations young people
  • LGBTQIA+ young people
  • Young men
  • Young people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
  • Young people who have experienced homelessness, housing instability, or other life challenges
  • Young people with caring responsibilities
  • Young people who are differently abled, or neurodivergent 
  • Young people who are passionate about improving the wellbeing of others in their community

 

 

Ready to join us?

If you're passionate about making a difference, meet the eligibility requirements, and can commit to being an active member of the Youth Advisory Council, then what are you waiting for?

We want to hear from you!

Joining YAC is your opportunity to have your voice heard, represent the views of other young people, develop new skills, and help shape the future of headspace Southport.

APPLY HERE!

Your voice has the power to create real change. We can't wait to hear from you.