Communities and Justice

Youth

The Department of Communities and Justice is committed to helping young people participate and be included in community life, with opportunities to reach their full potential. Find out about some of our programs below, or visit the Youth NSW website for more information about support for young people.

Youth Opportunities

The Youth Opportunities program provides one-off, time-limited grants of between $10,000 to $50,000 to not-for-profit organisations and local councils for youth-led and youth-driven community projects that have a positive youth development focus.

Projects funded under the Youth Opportunities program are expected to involve young people in all aspects of the project (initiating, leading, managing and participating). Projects which are genuinely youth-led and youth-driven are initiatives by young people that are in response to what they have said they need.

Further information about the program and details of projects funded so far can be found on the Youth NSW website.

Youth Frontiers

Youth Frontiers is a youth mentoring program that supports young people aged 10-17 years who have had contact with the justice and child protection systems. The aim of the program is to increase their wellbeing and connection to community, and avoid further contact with the justice system. 

Youth Frontiers is being delivered by four providers in four locations and supports key groups as detailed below.

Youth Frontiers providers, locations and groups supported.
Organisation Local Government Area (LGA) Target group
Bungree Aboriginal Association Central Coast Supporting Aboriginal young people
Deadly Connections Community and Justice Services Sydney Supporting Aboriginal people
CORE Community Services Fairfield Supporting young women
YWCA Australia in partnership with Whitelion Youth Agency Illawarra (Wollongong and Shellharbour LGAs) Supporting young women

For further information about the program, please visit the Youth NSW website

Youth Week

Youth Week in NSW is a week-long celebration held in early April each year that is organised by young people, for young people, in communities across the state. Youth Week in NSW provides young people with opportunities to connect, participate and be included in community life. If you’re aged between 12 -25, Youth Week is an opportunity to:

  • share ideas
  • attend live events
  • have your voice heard on issues of concern to you
  • showcase your talents
  • celebrate your contribution to the community
  • take part in competitions
  • have fun!

NSW local councils jointly fund, with the Department of Communities and Justice, Youth Week activities in their area. Young people must be involved in all stages of the activity including planning, development and management.

Youth Week in NSW is managed by the Department of Communities and Justice in partnership with the Advocate for Children and Young People. The NSW Youth Advisory Council gives advice on the management and operation of NSW Youth Week. 

Last updated:

24 Nov 2022