Premier's Youth Advisory Council

If you are a young person aged 12 to 24, living in Tasmania and passionate about Tasmania’s future, we invite you to apply for membership of the Premier’s Youth Advisory Council. There are currently 13 positions available.

We welcome your application to join the Council, and we encourage all eligible young people to apply.

The Council provides an opportunity for young people to meet with the Premier and the Minister for Education, Children and Youth to discuss their ideas on how we can make Tasmania a better place. Meetings are held three times per year on Saturdays.

We ask members of the Council to join us for two years. Meetings are usually held three times per year in Hobart or Launceston on Saturdays. Online participation options are available for young people living in regional or remote areas. Please let us know if you have any challenges or support needs to participate in the meetings.

Recruitment to the Premier's Youth Advisory Council is currently closed. Information about the next recruitment round will be published later in 2024.

Your details will remain confidential and will only be used for Council member selection and planning purposes.

You can access a preview of the application form here (PDF).

Please read the How to apply and FAQ sections below before starting your application.

The application form will ask you to provide short answers to a series of questions and to upload a short 2-minute video answering the question, “What do you think is the most important topic for young Tasmanians over the next two years?”

Videos do not have to be high quality and can be filmed on a smartphone or other device. If you don’t have access to a device or need help to create and upload the video please reach out to a teacher, parent or friend for advice.

There will be a button in the online application form to upload your video to OneDrive. Please contact us at youthadvisorycouncil@dpac.tas.gov.au if you have any questions.

If you are unable to do a video, please provide a short written answer instead (no more than 200 words).

New Council members will be chosen in time for the next Council meeting which will be held in early 2024. All applicants will be told the outcome of their application before this date.

Please contact us if you have any questions, need more information or have any issues completing your application form (including uploading your video):

Phone: 03 6232 7676 (Monday to Friday).

Email: youthadvisorycouncil@dpac.tas.gov.au

What is the Premier’s Youth Advisory Council?

The Premier’s Youth Advisory Council (PYAC) is a group of 24 young Tasmanian's aged 12-25 who meet with the Premier and the Minister for Children and Youth several times a year. It is an opportunity for young people to inform the Tasmanian Government on issues and policies that affect them and their peers. It is a place for young people to work together with the Government to deliver the best outcomes for young Tasmanian's.

As a Council member, you will be offered opportunities to be involved in consultation and implementation of Government policies and strategies and you will meet representatives from across the Tasmanian Government.

What background do I need to have to apply for the Premier’s Youth Advisory Council?

We are seeking members from all backgrounds and who have diverse experiences within our community. You can apply if you are a young person living in Tasmania aged between 12 and 24 on the closing date of the applications. You must also be living in Tasmania for the duration of your term on the Council.

If you are under 16, please speak to a parent or guardian before applying. If you are successful, you will need the consent of a parent or guardian before you can join the PYAC.

Members aged over 16 will be asked to apply for a Working With Vulnerable People registration. DPAC will cover the cost of your registration and supply information about how to apply if your application is successful.

What questions will I need to answer?

We would like you to tell us about yourself by answering the following questions:

Short written answers

• Who are you, and what’s important to you?
• Why do you want to be a member of the Council?
• What would you contribute to the Council?

Video response (preferred, or short written response)

• What do you think is the most important topic for young Tasmanian's over the next two years?

It might be easier to write your answer in a separate document and then copy and paste it into the online form. Please limit your response for each question to no more than 200 words.

We want to know what will make you a great representative of young Tasmanian's. This includes your background, interests and activities in and outside of school, your work or work aspirations, where you live and your ideas for Tasmania’s future. We are looking for a diverse range of young people from across the state to make up the Council membership. To help us select new members, we would like you to tell us about yourself and what you would bring to the Council.

How long will it take to fill out the application form?

It will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete the form. We suggest you prepare your answers to the short questions beforehand in a separate document and then cut and paste the answers into the online application form once you are ready to complete it. If you decide to draft your answers to the short questions at the time you fill out the form, it may take you longer.

Where will the meetings be held and how often?

The next PYAC meeting will be held in early 2024. Another two meetings will be held later in the year. PYAC typically meets face-to-face three times per year on Saturdays. Meetings have been held so far in Launceston or Hobart, with online participation opportunities available for members in more regional areas. Additional meetings may be arranged by video conference. There may also be opportunities to be involved in Government policy and strategy work outside of meetings at your own choice.

Will I be paid?

As with any other Advisory Council membership, members will not be paid. The Tasmanian Government will reimburse any costs associated with membership, such as travel to and from meetings.

If successful, how long would I be on the PYAC?

12 of the current vacancies are for a two-year membership until 31 December 2025; and one vacancy will be for a one-year membership until 31 December 2024 to replace an outgoing council member.

Can I still be a member when I turn 25?

25 is the maximum age of PYAC members. You can join PYAC if you are 24, and you can remain a member after you turn 25. PYAC members cease to be members at the end of their term, or on their 26th birthday, whichever is soonest.

Do I have to be based in Hobart to apply?

No; in fact, the Council will have representatives from across all regions of Tasmania, both urban and rural. The Tasmanian Government will reimburse you or your parents for the cost of traveling to meetings.

The collection, maintenance, use and disclosure of personal information in relation to individuals is regulated by the Personal Information Protection Act 2004.