Young Mayors Mackay

Nominations | 1 June – 20 July 2026 (8 weeks)
This is when you can nominate to be a candidate. To support your nomination you can book a time to talk with our Program Officer, Savannah Vella, attend a 101 workshop (details coming soon) or send us an email.  

Campaigning period | 17 August – 19 October 2026 (8 weeks)
During this time candidates will learn all they need to create and run a campaign for election, based on the issues they care about. Candidates are supported with workshops, resources and a campaign budget.  

Meet the Candidates | w/c 5 October
This is a special event where candidates talk to local community, other young people and councillors about the issues they care about. It’s not a debate – it’s a forum to talk about the issues that matter.

Elections | 19 October – 23 October 2026 (1 week)
During this week polling booths will be set up in schools and community spaces for young people to vote on the 12 young people they want to make up the youth council.

Inductions | November 2026 (usually 2 Saturdays)
These are workshops when, if elected, you will get to know the other youth councillors, learn about your new roles and start to plan your Term in Office.

Term in Office 1 February 2027 – 30 June 2028 (18 Months)
Elected young people will come together regularly to make a plan to address issues impacting young people in the region.

How old do you have to be to get involved?
Nominations for the Mackay Youth Council are open to young people aged between 11 and 17 years of age living or studying in the Mackay Regional Council area. You do not need to be an Australian citizen to nominate.

Why can’t over 18s run for Youth Council?
Australian citizens aged 18 and over are eligible to vote in local, state and federal elections, and can nominate to run for election to represent their constituents at all levels (and we encourage you to consider it!)

If you’re over 18 and want to be involved in the Young Mayors program in other ways, get in touch!

What type of projects and campaigns will the Mackay Youth Council run?
The Youth Council will decide their priorities based on issues identified by young people in Mackay.

You can read the current youth council agenda below.

The projects run by youth councils around the world have covered a range of issues, including: 

• Campaigns for mental health, LGBTIQ+ equality, poverty reduction, sustainability, safety and tourism
• Youth homelessness support projects
• Lowering the age of travel concessions
• New inclusive council programs for young people with disabilities
• Forums that bring young people together with local, state, and federal decision makers
• New sports competitions, music programs, and art exhibitions

During the Term in Office, the Youth Council will regularly consult with their constituents (other young people) to make sure their work is meeting the needs of young people in the community. Consultation happens in different ways, including surveys, peer-peer conversations, attending local events and hearing from Council staff and community advocates.

How many spots are there on the Youth Council?
There are 12 spots available on the Mackay Youth Council, with seats spread across 2 regions.

How often and where will the Youth Council meet, and what’s the time commitment?
The Youth Council meets every 2 weeks at the Jubilee Centre. All youth councillors have the option to join via Zoom if attending in-person isn’t possible. Meetings are 1.5 to 2 hours on a weekday after school (day of the week is confirmed once the young people are elected).

The Mackay Team works with youth councillors to support meaningful involvement throughout their Term in Office. While meeting attendance is important, when life gets busy contributions can also be made via email or catch-ups with the Mackay Young Mayors Team.

As well as fortnightly meetings, Youth Council responsibilities may mean attending other meetings and events, as decided by the youth council throughout the Term in Office.

Will Youth Councillors be paid?
Youth Councillors will be paid a quarterly stipend of $250 ($1500 across the Term in Office) to recognise that costs might come up as a part of being involved (eg. transport). They are also paid $250 to attend an induction before entering the Term in Office

Food will be provided for meetings with all dietary requirements catered to.

Does the Youth Council work with the Mackay Regional Council and Mayor?
The Youth Council will have opportunities to meet with and provide recommendations to Mackay Regional Council and the Mayor throughout their Term in Office.

Is the Young Mayors program a school activity?
No. Elections will be run at schools, but the Young Mayors program is not part of the curriculum.

Youth Council runs outside of school time, but it’s best to let your school know you’ll be getting involved either as a candidate, or as an elected youth councillor. A letter to your school can be provided on request.

On occasion, Youth Councillors may have the chance to get involved in activities that run during school hours, with advanced notice.

Young people running for election will have access to workshops and mentoring to support their campaigns.

Candidates will also be given a budget to spend on campaign marketing materials e.g. t-shirts, posters, printing for their campaigns. To keep it equitable, candidates are not permitted to spend any other money or get in-kind support to advertise in their campaigns. Candidates are encouraged to connect in-person and support each other’s campaigning.

Once elected, the Youth Council will do a thorough induction, have access to a constantly updated resource library, and will be supported by a staff member based in the Council area.

Does it cost anything to be involved?
The program is completely free to participate in.

How will the campaign process be managed to ensure it is respectful and equitable?
We are committed to this program being a safe, accessible opportunity for all young people.

All candidates will be asked to sign a Code of Conduct when they nominate themselves to run for Youth Council. Read the Code of Conduct here.

Candidates will be given campaign support by FYA, and will not be allowed to use any personal funds or seek donations (cash or in-kind) for their campaigns. We want to make sure all young people, regardless of privilege, are on an equal playing field.

What are the campaign rules?
We are committed to this program being a safe, accessible opportunity for all young people.

If you campaign, you will be asked to agree to aCode of Conduct for you and your supporters. It includes guidelines on social media use and campaign materialsRead the Code of Conduct here.

Candidates will be given a small campaign budget by FYA, and will not be allowed to use any personal funds or seek donations (cash or in-kind) for their campaigns. We want to make sure all young people, regardless of privilege, are on an equal playing field.

Can candidates use social media to promote campaigns?
There are strict guidelines for social media use during campaigning and Term in Office. Candidates can not run cash advertising on social media platforms.

Where and when will the election happen?
The election will be held in October 2026. Across the week, voting booths will be set up in high schools across the Mackay Regional Council. Check back early in mid-2026 to find out if your school is involved.

As well as schools, we’re interested in setting up voting booths in community spaces where young people visit, so that all young people aged 11-17 have the opportunity to vote; not just those who go to school. If you want to suggest a space, please get in touch.

How does voting work?
Young Mayors is supported by the Electoral Commission of Queensland and voting replicates state and federal government voting systems.

Candidates nominate for 1 of 2 regions to make sure the Youth Council is representative of all parts of the region. Your region is determined by where you feel the most connection, this may be where you live, study or spend your time. Young people aged 11-17 (inclusive) will be eligible to vote in their region for the candidates running for election in that ward.

What suburbs and towns are in the Mackay Regional Council area?
Check out a locality map here.

I won’t be at school during Election Week. How can I vote?
If you want your vote to count but your school isn’t participating in the program, you don’t go to school or you won’t be at school on the day the ballot boxes are there, don’t worry! There will be other community spaces that you can vote at or you can email [email protected] and we’ll figure out a voting alternative.

What safeguarding is in place for young people in the program?
The Young Mayors program works with young people aged 11 to 17 years. We recognise this program puts young people in the public spotlight, and this can create vulnerabilities.

A well-being plan tailored to each community is developed at the beginning of the program, based on a thorough co-design process undertaken with each local government area.

The well-being plan includes, but is not limited to specific actions and support available to keep young people safe, processes to report harm, and clarity on expectations young people can have of each other, partners involved and the general public.

FYA and our partners are required to have Working With Children Checks (Blue cards) and adhere to a comprehensive set of safeguarding policies and legislative requirements.

Want to know more about wellbeing in the program? Click here