Youth Law Australia

We are thoroughly looking forward to the commencement of the Children’s Rights and the Law conference tomorrow. We invite you to join the conversation and hear from experts as they explore this important topic. As part of the conference, the official launch of the “Family Law 4 Kids” online toolkit will be held take place from 4.30pm (QLD Time) & 5.30pm (NSW Time) tomorrow. Family Law 4 Kids is an online toolkit to help children and young people understand and exercise their right to participate in family law processes when their parents separate. The toolkit has been co-designed with 41 children and young people aged 10 to 19 from across Queensland, NSW and Victoria, whose parents separated and accessed the family law system. The launch will showcase their meaningful, diverse contributions to designing and developing the Toolkit – a practice output created by, and for, children and young people. You can find out more, and how to attend here: https://lnkd.in/ghfJv4qm

YLA is proud to support the Children’s Rights and the Law Conference, hosted by Southern Cross University on 23–24 October 2025 at the Gold Coast campus and online. We invite you to join the conversation and hear from experts across the areas of family law, child protection and care, and criminal law and youth justice as they explore this important topic.

This week from 6 July 2025, we celebrate NAIDOC week, a powerful movement recognising the culture, history and achievements of First Nations people. This year is a particularly important milestone, as we celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC week. To commemorate this, the 2025 theme is "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," which not only celebrates the achievements of the past, but the bright future ahead thanks to the formidable strength of young First Nations leaders. Today and everyday, Youth Law Australia is committed to supporting the rights of young First Nations people with any legal issue, anytime and anywhere in Australia. You can also join the celebration of NAIDOC week by attending an event near you. Visit the NAIDCO website here to find an event: https://lnkd.in/dexeVKVM

Meet Gerald 🌟 It is great to hear Gerald Kuo's takeaways so far on his experience of working with us at YLA. Gerald has been a fantastic addition to the team and we thank HWL Ebsworth Lawyers for their strong support and partnership. It's through secondments like Gerald's, that YLA is able to make an even bigger difference for children and young people by providing more free and confidential legal support.

👏 It's thanks to the amazing support of people like our Advocates that YLA can continue to provide a trusted and safe service for children and young people experiencing harm and exploitation, or navigating challenging circumstances. There's a few days left to donate before 30 June. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Big or small, whatever you contribute, your generosity will make a lasting impact in the lives of young people across Australia. Donate now at: https://yla.org.au/donate/

When a young person like Lee picks up the phone and calls us, it is a life-changing moment. But, every week at YLA, approximately 60 calls from children and young people go unanswered. Your donation can help make sure that every call for help is heard.    Lee was 16 when he left school to start an apprenticeship. Soon after starting his apprenticeship, Lee experienced workplace bullying, an experience that caused him mental distress. Things fell apart quickly. Lee lost his job, his home, and felt he had nowhere to turn.    Young people’s experiences shape the rest of their lives. YLA steps in to assist young people who have no one else to turn to, at critical moments in their journey.   By donating to YLA, you can help us answer more calls and help more young people like Lee access life-changing support.   Hurry, we are just 4k off our EOFY goal! Donate today at https://yla.org.au/donate/.   Stand with YLA to make sure every call is answered 💪💙 

We’re only 5K off reaching our EOFY goal! Last year our website pages received over 1.3 million views. Each day our staff and volunteers answer dozens of calls, instant messages and emails to provide support. But it's not enough. There are more calls for help than we have the capacity to answer. We set out to raise $50,000 to help us provide legal support to every child and young person in Australia who needs it, together, we can work towards a future where every child and young person's voice in Australia is heard.   As little as $60 provides a child or young person with specialised legal help and every donation over $2 is tax deductible. Donate today at https://yla.org.au/donate/

The Australian Government set up the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review in February 2025 to investigate what is best practice in preventing and responding to bullying in schools.   They are receiving submissions from children and young people and their parents and carers about their experiences with school bullying and what changes are required. Submissions will close on Friday 20th June 2025 at 11:59pm. To learn more and make a submission, visit https://lnkd.in/gmgvzZJ6   If you are a young person or a student at the University of Tasmania and have questions about school bullying, please contact us for help. We provide free and confidential legal information and advice to young people under 25 nationwide, and to students at the University of Tasmania. Reach out via the Get Help Now button at https://yla.org.au/.   #bullying #schoolbullying  

Happy Pride! This June we celebrate international Pride Month - a time to come together to raise awareness and support the LGBTQIA+ community. This year's theme is "Love, Respect, Empower", which aims to honour love in all its forms, encourage mutual respect, and empower individuals to embrace their authentic selves. Pride Month is celebrated every June to honour the LGBTQIA+ community and the historic Stonewall Riots of 1969 in New York, which were a turning point in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. It’s a time to celebrate the progress we’ve made towards equality, while also recognizing the challenges that continue to affect many in the queer community, including LGBTQIA+ youth in Australia. In 2021, La Trobe University found that 66% of LGBTQIA+ Youth in Australia have experienced harassment due to their identity. At Youth Law Australia we believe that all children and young people deserve to feel safe, supported and heard. We are here to help young people who experience abuse, discrimination, bullying, or other forms of exclusion based on their identity understand that this is never okay and there are steps that can be taken to address it. We advocate for the rights and acceptance of all children and young people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. If you are a young person or you are supporting a young person under 25, and have experienced harassment, abuse or discrimination because of your identity, you can contact YLA at: https://lnkd.in/g-NYmZcY For information on the history of Pride Month and how you can get involved, please visit:  https://lnkd.in/d-_XThJs? #PrideMonth2025 #LGBTQIA+

Today marks the mid-point of National Reconciliation Week, which runs from 27 May to 3 June each year - marking the successful 1967 referendum and Mabo decision respectively. As we reflect on this year's theme, Bridging Now to Next, which calls into focus the connection between past, present and future we bear in mind our role in creating the legacy we leave to future generations and children and young people's roles in shaping that future.     In Australia, whilst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children make up only 6% of children overall, they account for 43.7% of children in out-of-home care (https://lnkd.in/deZ5qwz6). As we move forward in the journey of reconciliation we must grapple with and address the ways in which the legal system has failed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Recent research noted that legal support can be crucial, however, “often families are in contact with child protection agencies for substantial periods of time before accessing legal support.” (https://lnkd.in/deZ5qwz6). Yet conversely, “there have been disproportionately low numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families involved with the Federal family law system” which has been proposed as one reason that family breakdown issues can escalate. The research highlights the unmet need for access to early legal assistance for families to prevent removal. We must do better. We cannot lose another generation.    We all have a role to play today in acknowledging our history and collectively building a better future through learning, connecting and truth-telling. #NRW2025 #BridgingNotToNext