Youth engagement toolkit

Developed by the Office for Youth (Australian Government), the Youth Engagement Toolkit brings together eight detailed guides to help organisations design, deliver and evaluate meaningful youth engagement. It supports professionals in government and community sectors to embed young people’s voices in decision-making and ensure engagement is ethical, inclusive and effective.

The eight guides cover every stage of the engagement process:
1. Introduction to youth engagement – defines principles, benefits and key concepts.
2. Getting the right mindset – explores values, attitudes and organisational culture.
3. Preparing for engagement – covers planning, goal-setting and identifying participants.
4. Building skills for impact – strengthens facilitation and communication skills.
5. Choosing methods of engagement – helps select approaches such as workshops, surveys or advisory groups.
6. Safe and ethical engagement – outlines best practice in safeguarding and inclusivity.
7. Closing the loop – focuses on feedback, recognition and celebrating contributions.
8. Tracking impact – provides tools for evaluation, reflection and continuous improvement.

Each guide is supported by templates, planners and checklists that make the Toolkit practical and adaptable across sectors. It promotes co-design principles, empowering young people to influence outcomes that affect their lives.

For community work professionals, the Toolkit offers a clear, evidence-based structure to strengthen youth participation and create programs that reflect young people’s needs, perspectives and potential.