FYA acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land our offices are located and celebrate their enduring connection to Country, knowledge and stories. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. This always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.

We back
young people

At the Foundation for Young Australians, we exist to back young people across the country to beat injustice and create long-lasting change for all.

Read more about us
Young woman with red hair wearing silver t-shirt is smiling holding her fist up as part of rock-paper-scissors game. She is surrounded by other young people behind her watching the game play out.
We back young people: image shows a group of FYA changemakers
  • Get the resources you need
  • Skill-up on campaigning and advocacy
  • Find your change-focused community
  • Get the resources you need
  • Skill-up on campaigning and advocacy
  • Find your change-focused community
Photo: Harjono Djoyobisono

As a young person, it’s easy to think no one’s paying attention

Unable to vote, under-represented in our Parliaments, undervalued in casualised workplaces, and unheard in our media – Australia’s systems and institutions aren’t built to back you.

But you’re more powerful than you know.

Why we exist

We back you to create change

your way

Annelise Lecordier

Annelise (she/her) is a storyteller and activist working with Run for It, and the co-founder of It's Not A Compliment.

Read Her Story Read Her Story
Is Hay

Is (they/them) is a queer, disabled writer working with the Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS).

Read Their Story Read Their Story
Lien To

Lien (she/her) is an FYA Ylab Manager.

Read Her Story Read Her Story
See all Stories about young people See all Stories

Our programs

At FYA, we want to make sure our programs are focused on empowering young people, top to bottom. That’s why all our programs:

  • Free, paid for by our funders and us
  • Informed by young people
  • Delivered by our team with more than 50 years of combined expertise
Test
Application Open For
Apply

Advocacy

Youth Media Centre

Here to support you and your organisation to use the media as a tool for advocacy.

Find out more
Application Open For
Apply

Civic Engagement

Student Representative Councils

Inspired by the power of student-led movements worldwide, the SRC program will support students to build their representation and advocate for change on the issues that matter to them in their schools - and beyond.

Find out more
Application Open For
Apply

Civic Engagement

Young Mayors

Democratically elected youth councils of 11-17 year olds across the country.

Find out more
See all See all

Changing the world isn’t easy. It needs a range of solutions, big and small.

To transform systems of injustice, the world needs genuine, durable change that goes beyond the symptoms to tackle the root cause. That’s why all our programs are built around the idea of backing young people in three ways:

Power

By growing civic and cultural engagement

From schools and communities to media and culture, we create and scale projects that put young people in decision-making positions.

Collaboration

By facilitating co-design with young people

Powered by the lived experience of young people, our social enterprise, YLab works with for-purpose organisations, corporate, and government clients to co-design the systems and services of the future.

Action

By backing youth-led movements to win campaigns

From training to grants, we back youth-led movements and campaigns to create long-lasting and meaningful change in the face of injustice.

Ready to start making change? Reach out.

Chat with us now or just send us a message. Whether you end up taking a program with us, or working for another organisation, we’re here to help you.

Want to get the latest updates on all things FYA?


Sign up to our newsletter

No spam 🤞