Who We Are
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) is Australia’s non-government youth affairs peak body. We undertake a range of activities including advocacy, research and policy development, youth sector development and youth engagement. Funded by the Federal Government, we work to:- Represent the rights and interests of young people, and the sector which supports them, at national and international levels
- Promote the well-being of young Australians
- Advance the participation of young people in the community
- Support best practice in youth participation
- Offer policy advice to government and other organisations on issues that affect young people and the youth sector
- Take a leadership role within the youth sector
- Encourage and support coordination and cooperation within the sector
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition was formed in 2002, after the wind-up of the previous national youth affairs peak, the Australian Youth Policy and Action Coalition (AYPAC) a few years earlier. We are governed by a Board of Directors, and receive expert policy advice from our Policy Advisory Council (PAC). The Board and PAC include representatives from state and territory youth peaks, the youth sector and young people from across Australia.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures, and to the elders both past and present.
Advocates for young and vulnerable Australians are optimistic after the federal government announced an increase of $4 a week to people on Newstart and Youth Allowance.
Executive Director of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition, Andrew Cummings is campaigning for an increase for people on the lowest benefit schemes.
He said he was pleased that this year’s federal budget recognised that Newstart and Youth Allowance provide too little to live on.
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