The 2021 Australian Census reports that one-third of New South Wales’s (NSW) young people live in regional areas (also defined as “regional youth”). Data shows that their outcomes lag behind their metropolitan peers across a range of indicators. Regional youth are less likely to finish high school or pursue university, and more likely to be unemployed. They face higher risk factors for long-term diseases, obesity and alcoholism. They usually must travel longer distances to access essential services. They are also less likely to feel safe in their community and to feel a sense of belonging. Australia aims for all regional communities to be places where young people are valued, supported and encouraged. The NSW Office for Regional Youth (ORY) was established within the Department of Regional NSW to provide a whole-of-government approach to improving policy outcomes for young people, notably through the “Our Region, Our Voice – Regional Youth Investment Program”.
Our Region, Our Voice, Regional Youth Investment Programme – Australia (New South Wales)
Abstract
The “Our Region, Our Voice – Regional Youth Investment Program” was established in June 2022 to deliver tailored investments and local projects that enhance the lives and well-being of regional youth. A youth consultation with nearly 2000 young people across the nine regions of regional NSW was conducted to understand what was most important for them and what investments could help improve their lives. The consultation included hard-to-reach groups that are often underrepresented and underserved, including young people with disabilities or caring for someone with a disability, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander young people, and young people who identified as LGBTIQ+.1 The consultation employed various methods of facilitation, including engaging with young people in their own spaces, taking the time to build rapport before sessions and creating dynamism through movement and fun. ORY developed evidence-based priority areas for each region by triangulating the input from in-person engagements with over 650 young people, survey responses from over 1 300 young people as well as data on key economic and social indicators for each region. The consultation helped identify the main problems faced by young people such as lack of mental health support, need for improved career pathways, greater recreational activities and reliable public transport. The results helped identify priority areas for investment in each of the nine regions across four domains: Work Ready (skills and education), Well-being (health and inclusivity), Connectivity (transport and digital) and Community (belonging, agency and housing). A total of 69 projects for meaningful work, accessible healthcare and education, and inclusivity in the community are being delivered, with a value of USD 40 million. The projects are planned to run until May 2025.
The programme provides opportunities for young people to influence regional youth initiatives. The initiative has re-engaged students, increased physical activity, improved access to essential services, supported equity of opportunities across regions and cohorts, promoted free social and recreational activities, enhanced mental health support, reduced juvenile re-offending and accelerated recovery from the social and economic shocks of COVID-19 and natural disasters. Under the Work Ready category, projects promote career pathways including work experience, mentoring, career advice and workshops focusing on including digital and financial literacy as well as interpersonal and leadership capabilities. Projects related to well-being promote awareness on mental and physical health and improved transportation to health services.
Further reading
Nous Group (n.d.) Engagement with 2000 young people shapes $40m investment by NSW Office for Regional Youth; NSW government (n.d.), Our Region, Our Voice - Regional Youth Investment Program; NSW government (n.d.), Regional Youth; NSW government (n.d.), Regional Youth Insights.
This practice also supports the implementation of provision VI.2 of the OECD Recommendation on Creating Better Opportunities for Young People.
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