Government Youth Strategies

Future Directions: An Action Agenda for Young Victorians

Future Directions (PDF 1199 kb), as the new youth agenda, reflects the broad range of activity going on across government for young Victorians aged 12 to 25. It brings together a “Top 40” list of initiatives – mainly funded in this year’s budget – which are grouped under five specific desired outcomes:

Future Directions will increase the number of young people who:

• contribute more to their communities and want to make a difference
• make a successful transition from school to a job they like
• know how to access information, support and services they need
• lead healthy, active and culturally diverse lifestyles, and
• live in a secure environment and choose safe behaviours

These are outcomes that the community, young people and their families have endorsed as priorities.

The Government’s role is to provide options and services for young people, as well as ensuring their rights are respected and they have real opportunities to build meaningful careers and lives.

It is also important the Government provides opportunities for young people to have a say and listens to their voices, to best respond to changing needs.

The Government will continue to work closely with young people in the implementation of these actions and the discussions about future priorities.

Further details on Future Directions can be found at youthcentral. For details on previous youth policy read Respect: The Government’s Vision for Young People (PDF 557kb) and 2004-2005 action report Youth Focus in Victoria (PDF 675kb)

The state of Victoria’s young people report 2007

The state of Victoria's young people reports on how young people aged 12-24 are faring against the whole-of-government government outcomes framework, focusing on young people's health, economic wellbeing, learning, safety and community engagement. With its systematic review of the evidence, the report highlights progress towards Future Directions policy goals and provides an important resource to guide planning for young people, within and outside government.

The state of Victoria's young people has been produced by the Statewide Outcomes for Children Division in the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, together with the Office for Youth, in the Department of Planning and Community Development.

Youth Report: Youth Focus in Victoria 2005–2006

Presented in the context of Government Youth Policy, this Whole of Government progress report offers valuable insight into the impact that Government and community programs had on the lives of young Victorians in 2005/06.

Youth Focus in Victoria 2005-2006 (PDF 741 kb)
Youth Focus in Victoria 2005-2006 (Word 238 kb)

The Victorian Government has released its response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Impact of Body Image on Young People. The response provides a comprehensive analysis of the Inquiry, its terms of reference, and key findings. Current Government programs and initiatives to address the impact of negative body image on young people are also highlighted. The response also includes a full description of the 12 recommendations of the Inquiry, the Government response and further plans for implementation.

Government Response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Body Image (PDF 114kb)
Government Response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Body Image (Word 419kb)

Young Victorians @ the Centre

These reports outline the Government’s progress in implementing Respect: The Government’s Vision for Young People. Two reports have been issued thus far.

Young Victorians @ the Centre 2002-2003 (PDF 301kb)
Young Victorians @ the Centre 2003-2004 (PDF 301kb)

Leading the Way – the Victorian Government’s Strategic Framework on Mentoring Young People; and A Fairer Victoria – Creating Opportunity and Addressing Disadvantage

A Fairer Victoria sets out the actions the Victorian Government will take to improve access to vital services, reduce barriers to opportunity and strengthen assistance for disadvantaged groups and places throughout the State. One of the strategies in A Fairer Victoria includes “Getting young people back on track”. Under this initiative the Government will provide mentoring programs for young people disengaged from education, training or employment, with funding of $2.9 million over three years. This document outlines the Government’s strategic framework for mentoring.

Leading the Way (PDF 641kb)

Contributing and Changing – Young People’s Involvement in Government Planning and Decision Making

The (Federal) Ministerial Council on Education, Employment Training and Youth Affairs has developed a common set of guiding principles to inform youth participation practices at all levels of government. This document describes the actions Australian governments will take and the principles they have endorsed to ensure young people’s participation is meaningful and ongoing.

Contributing and Changing (PDF 97kb)

Web Site Updates

DPCD's websites are progressively being updated to reflect the changes following the establishment of the department. This means you will continue to see some references to the Department for Victorian Communities (DVC) as changes are being made.