WA Youth Action Plan 2024 - 2027

Background

In 2024, the Department of Communities (WA Government) began developing the WA Youth Action Plan 2024–2027, a strategic document aimed at representing the views, challenges, and aspirations of young Western Australians aged 10 to 25.

To ensure the plan reflected a diverse cross-section of young people, particularly those aged 18 to 25 and from regional communities, the Department engaged Youth Leadership Academy Australia (YLAA) to lead targeted engagement initiatives, consultation events, and data collection aligned with the State’s strategic framework.

What We Did

Engaging Young Adults in Perth

YLAA implemented a targeted outreach strategy to engage young adults aged 18 to 25, focusing on peer-to-peer connection, university partnerships, and digital advertising. These initiatives led to over 300 new consultation submissions from the target cohort.

Ignite & Innovate Networking Event
To further amplify youth voices, YLAA designed and delivered "Ignite & Innovate", a sold-out networking and consultation event held in Perth. The evening offered 50 young people the opportunity to build their networking skills, explore personal branding, and contribute directly to the consultation process.

Regional Engagement in the Kimberley
YLAA delivered two in-person workshops on the same day in Broome and Derby, facilitated in collaboration with local Youth Empowered Leaders and Aboriginal Youth Engagement Officers. These sessions were tailored to regional and cultural contexts, ensuring the inclusion of youth voices from communities often underrepresented in policy development.

Workshop Design and Data Collection
All engagement materials were co-designed with the Department of Communities to ensure alignment with existing consultation tools. YLAA delivered structured feedback from each event in the Department’s required format, including issue rankings, solution proposals, and demographic data.

Incentive Management and Promotion
As a not-for-profit partner, YLAA managed all event incentives and coordinated promotion through youth networks, schools, and online platforms. This multi-channel approach complemented government communications efforts and ensured strong participation levels across all activities.

What We Achieved

• Engaged over 350 young people aged 18 to 25 across metro and regional WA

• Collected high-quality, actionable data that directly informs the Youth Action Plan

• Delivered youth-centric consultation experiences that built leadership, confidence, and civic engagement

• Successfully bridged the metro-regional gap, ensuring voices from Broome, Derby, and Perth were included in future State policy

• Created lasting impact through capacity building, peer connection, and meaningful involvement in shaping government strategy

This partnership highlights the effectiveness of youth-led facilitation in public consultation and the importance of engaging young people in ways that are accessible, relevant, and empowering.

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