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 (PYAC). There are currently 12 positions available.

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

The PYAC provides an opportunity for young people to meet with the Premier and the Minister for Children and Youth to discuss their ideas on how we can make Tasmania a better place. Meetings are held throughout the year on Saturdays or weekday evenings.

We ask members of the PYAC to join us for two years. In-person meetings are held three times per year in Hobart or Launceston on Saturdays. There are also a series of online meetings that are held throughout the year on weekday evenings.

Participation options are available for young people living in regional or remote areas who cannot attend in person meetings. Please let us know if you have any challenges or support needs to participate in the meetings.

The application process will be open between Saturday 7 November 2024 and 11:59 pm on Monday 27 January 2025.

Your details will remain confidential and will only be used for PYAC member selection and planning. We respect your privacy.

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

(Applications for the Premier’s Youth Advisory Council have now closed. Please check back later in the year when applications will open for memberships in 2026.)

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. 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 PYAC members will be chosen in time for the next PYAC meeting which will be held in early 2025. All applicants will be told the outcome of their application by early March 2025.

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, 9am-5pm).

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 Tasmanians aged 12-25 who meet with the Premier and the Minister for Children and Youth several times a year. It's your chance to have a real say in government decisions that affect you and other young people. You'll get to work directly with the Government to make Tasmania better for young people.

As a PYAC 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. You'll also get to work on real projects and see your ideas put into action.

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

• You don't need any special qualifications - we want to hear from all kinds of young people!
• 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 PYAC. The PYAC has a diverse and inclusive membership where all members feel welcomed, safe, and supported. PYAC members come from different backgrounds and we encourage applications from diverse young people so that the Council has a mix of beliefs, skills and life experiences,
• The PYAC values the unique experiences, knowledge, and skills that its members bring to the group. If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you!
• 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.
• If you're over 16, you'll need something called a Working With Vulnerable People card. Don't worry about the cost - we'll pay for it and help you get it if you're selected.

What questions will I need to answer?

Here's what we'd like to know about you:

Short written answers

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

Video response (preferred, or short written response)

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

Tips

• Write your answers in a separate document first (like Notes or Word) and then copy them into the application form. This way you won't lose your work if something goes wrong. Keep each answer under 200 words.
• We're looking for young people who can represent different experiences and perspectives from all over Tasmania. Tell us about your life, what you're interested in, what you do at school or work, where you live, and your ideas for making Tasmania even better.

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

The form takes about 10-15 minutes if you've prepared your answers beforehand. If you're writing your answers as you go, it might take longer. Remember the tip about writing your answers separately first!

Where will the meetings be held and how often?

• We meet in person three times a year (if you can’t make it in person, we can help you join online instead).
• In person meetings are on Saturdays, usually in Launceston or Hobart..
• We also have a series of online to follow up with you throughout the year.
• You will also have the choice to join other cool projects if you want to.
• Please think about your availability when applying to become a PYAC member. By joining, you are committing to being involved and to responding to our communications when you receive them.

Will I be paid?

While this isn't a paid position, you won't be out of pocket - we'll cover all your costs, including travel to and from meetings.

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

You'll be a member for two years, until December 31, 2026.

Can I still be a member when I turn 25?

Yes! If you join at age 24, you can stay on even after turning 25. You'll finish either when your term ends or when you turn 26 - whichever comes first.

Do I have to be based in Hobart to apply?

Definitely not! We want people from everywhere in Tasmania - cities, towns, and rural areas. We'll pay for your travel to meetings, so distance isn't a barrier.