Young Mayors Cairns
A democratically elected Youth Council for young people aged 13–17 in Cairns, run in partnership with Cairns Regional Council.
Currently serving an 18 month term in office until June 2027.
Meet the 2026–2027 Cairns Youth Council
Elected in October 2025, Cairns’ Youth Council are serving an 18-month term in office from February 2026 to June 2027. Together they’re delivering projects, campaigns and events based on a priority agenda developed with young people across the Cairns region.
If you have an issue you’d like the Youth Council to consider, get in touch with the Cairns team at [email protected]
What the Youth Council is working on
Informed by Cairns’ community of young people, the Youth Council have recently launched their priority agenda, and are now developing key activities and actions to deliver within those areas.
Want to get involved?
The Cairns Youth Council are currently in their term in office, which runs until June 2027.
There are a few ways to stay connected:
- Have your say: if there’s an issue you’d like the Youth Council to consider, email [email protected]
- Next elections: nominations for the next Cairns Youth Council will open in 2027. Register your interest and we’ll let you know when they open.
About the Youth council
Cairns Regional Council recognises the valuable contribution young people make to the community and is committed to supporting young people to be actively involved in the issues that affect them.
FYA came to Cairns in April 2023 to meet the Council, young people and community allies to talk about the Young Mayors Program, and then again in June 2023 to run a co-design session to shape the Young Mayors program with and for young people in Cairns.
The session was attended by 48 people, including 24 young people, the Mayor, councillors, council staff, community stakeholders and FYA staff. The session led to the development of the program, tailored to young people in Cairns.
The Youth Council decides their priorities based on issues identified by young people in Cairns. The projects run by youth councils around Australia and the world have covered a range of issues, including:
- Mental Health First Aid training for young people
- Tree planting project for sustainability outcomes
- Activating public spaces including libraries and local parks
- Music and recreational projects
- Life skills and employment / education pathway projects
- Bus safety and transport advocacy projects
During the Term in Office, the Youth Council will regularly consult with their constituents to make sure their work is meeting the needs of young people in the community.
The Cairns Youth Council meets approximately 4 times a term, with working group meetings during the holidays as determined by the youth council.Youth Councillors may also meet with council officers, attend community events, and other activities as decided by the council during their term.
Yes. Youth Councillors have opportunities to meet with and make recommendations to Cairns Regional Council and the Mayor throughout their term.
Yes. Youth Councillors receive a quarterly stipend of $250 to cover costs like transport. Food is provided at all meetings with dietary requirements catered for.
Staying connected
Email the Cairns team at [email protected] with the issue you’d like them to consider.
The current term runs until June 2027. Nominations for the next council will open later in 2027. Register your interest to be notified when they open.
Check out a map below. Bordered by the Great Dividing Range and Coral Sea, Cairns Regional Council encompasses northern beaches suburbs, including Ellis Beach, Cairns city area and surrounding suburbs, and southern townships including Gordonvale and Babinda, through to Mirriwinni.