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Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth

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Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth

EVERY CHILD THRIVING
Welcome to ARACY. We're dedicated to ensuring all Australian children and young people thrive.

We unite evidence and experts, collaborating to create best practices and policies.

08/05/2026

EOIs close 13 May — don't miss your chance to shape Australia's new online privacy laws.

Australia is finalising a Children's Online Privacy Code that will determine how online platforms handle the personal information of anyone under 18. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner is seeking public feedback before the Code is finalised in December 2026 — and ARACY's Young and Wise program wants to make sure young people's voices are part of that conversation.

We're hosting two online roundtable sessions in May for young Australians aged 13–18 to explore what the draft Code means, share what privacy protections matter most to them, and contribute directly to ARACY's submission to the OAIC.

You don't need to know anything about privacy law. We'll guide you through everything, and participants will be recognised for their time and contribution.

Sessions are available on Wednesday 20 May and Thursday 21 May, 5:30–7:00 pm AEST, via Microsoft Teams.

If you work with young people aged 13–18 — in schools, youth services, advocacy, or community settings — please share this opportunity widely.

EOIs close 13 May 2026.

Apply now: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0QQHT0

07/05/2026

Big news for Australia's early childhood education and care sector.
ARACY welcomes the Government's announcement today to strengthen safety in child care in working with States and Territories to consider the development of a national Early Education and Care Commission.

This is a significant and long-overdue step toward a stronger, safer, and more equitable system for Australia's youngest children.

With more than one million families relying on ECEC, a Commission would help ensure services are located where families need them, drive consistent safety standards, and provide the long-term stewardship this sector deserves.

As Melodie Potts Rosevear OAM, ARACY's CEO, put it:
"We know that the first years of life are the most significant for a child's development and lifelong wellbeing. ARACY's Nest Wellbeing Framework tells us that thriving children need to be loved, safe, learning, healthy, participating, and materially secure -- and early childhood education and care sits at the heart of so many of those domains. Getting this system right, in every community, for every child, is one of the most powerful investments Australia can make. A national Commission has the potential to be the independent, enduring voice this sector needs to move beyond short-term fixes and toward the Every Child Thriving future every Australian child deserves."

ARACY looks forward to contributing to the sector consultation process ahead of the Education Ministers' meeting in July.
https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0QKsb0

24/04/2026

At ARACY, everything we do is focused on improving the wellbeing of children and young people in Australia. As we continue to grow and develop our communications and resources, we want to make sure we're reaching the right people, in the right ways, with content that genuinely supports your work.

This short survey will take less than five minutes and covers how you engage with ARACY across our channels — from our newsletters and social media to resources like The Nest, Young and Wise and Common Approach. Your feedback will directly shape how we communicate, what we cover, and how we can better serve the children and young people's sector.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
➡️ https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JFZ65QW

23/04/2026

What if 60,000 years of cultural wisdom and brain science told the same story?
They do. And this National Reconciliation Week, we're bringing that story to life.

Join us on National Sorry Day — Tuesday 26 May, 1 pm AEST — for a powerful webinar:
All In for Growing Deadly Brains: How science is catching up with 60,000 years of cultural wisdom
Presented by ARACY, Queensland Kids Partnership and Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation — whose very name means 'brain' in Wankumara (Galali) Language.

The first years of life are when brains are built. Relationships, safety, connection to culture and community — these shape children's health and wellbeing for life. And when communities are trusted to lead, children thrive.

Growing Deadly Brains is proof. Community-led, evidence-based, and working — this program trains Brain Health Coaches, builds free learning resources, and keeps children connected to family, school, and culture — and out of the child protection and justice systems.

This year's Reconciliation Week theme is All In. Not watching from the sidelines. Not leaving it to others.

Hear from extraordinary speakers:
Sue-Anne Hunter — National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People
Sheryl Batchelor — CEO, Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation
Rhi Parsons — Project Manager, Growing Deadly Brains
Jessica Oostenbroek — Director, ARACY & Board Member, Queensland Kids Partnership

Come ready to listen. Come ready to act.
Register now: d64888a1-bbe0-49cf-9739-8f825f2c054b@486f2bc3-1b04-465b-b923-d28832372a86" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/d64888a1-bbe0-49cf-9739-8f825f2c054b@486f2bc3-1b04-465b-b923-d28832372a86

20/04/2026

The On Your Terms survey is an online survey on consent and s*x ed run by the Australian Human Rights Commission. It’s open to anyone aged 14–18 living in Australia.

It asks for young people’s views on consent, respectful relationships and s*x education. ARACY's own research, the Young and Wise S*x Ed Report, found that young people want s*x education to be more honest, inclusive, and grounded in respect — particularly for LGBTQIA+ young people and those with disabilities. The AHRC's On Your Terms survey is a vital next step in turning that message into action.

The survey is anonymous and will take just 10-15 minutes to complete.
➡️Complete the survey: https://lnkd.in/gzJ7SsMV

Find out more about ARACY's Young and Wise S*x Ed report here: https://lnkd.in/gajX8pvG

16/04/2026

Young people across Australia have a lot going on right now — and we want to hear about it.

The Young and Wise 2026 Survey is open, and if you're under 25, your voice genuinely matters here.

Tell us what's really happening in your life — at school or work, at home, online, in your community. ARACY uses this research to make sure young people's experiences shape the decisions that affect them.

10 minutes. Confidential. And it actually counts.

Share it with a young person who deserves to be heard.
https://www.menti.com/aljtdc7k9irt

14/04/2026

We're proud to be supporting Cancer Council NSW's SunSmart campaign! Is your primary school or service SunSmart yet?

Membership is free — and if you sign up or renew before 30 April there are great prizes up for grabs, including prize packs worth up to $1,500!

Sign up, renew or find out more: https://tinyurl.com/ysp3te74

13/04/2026

This week, communities across Australia are celebrating young people — their ideas, their talent, and their power to shape the future.

Youth Week is a timely reminder of something ARACY holds close: when we listen to young people — really listen — better outcomes follow. Not just for them, but for all of us.

That's why our Young and Wise survey is open right now, inviting Australians aged 8–25 to share what wellbeing means to them, in their own words. What helps them thrive? What gets in the way? What do they want adults and decision-makers to understand?

Their answers shape how we understand The Nest, our national wellbeing framework for children and young people, and how we advocate for the policies and services that help young people flourish across every part of their lives: from feeling safe and connected, to learning, participating, and having a genuine say in the things that matter to them.

Young people aren't a problem to be solved. They're a generation ready to lead — if we create the conditions that let them.

Take the Young and Wise survey: https://www.menti.com/aljtdc7k9irt

Find out more about The Nest: https://www.aracy.org.au/the-nest-wellbeing-framework/

Find more opportunities for young people: https://www.aracy.org.au/for-young-people/

08/04/2026

What's really going on for young people in Australia right now — and what would actually make things better?

The Young and Wise 2026 Survey is a chance for young people to say it directly — and have it count.

ARACY works to make sure the voices of young people shape policy and practice across Australia. But we can only do that if they tell us what's really going on in their life — at school or work, in their community, online and at home.

The survey takes around 10 minutes and covers everything from education and social media to money, health and having a real say in the decisions that affect young people.

All answers are confidential and will be used to inform ARACY's advocacy work in 2026 and beyond.

Are you under 25? This is your chance to have a say on the things that matter to you. Know someone who might be interested? Please share it with them.

Thanks for your time — it genuinely matters.
Complete the survey: https://www.menti.com/aljtdc7k9irt?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9oORO3G3MflwIwF0sL0hpbIXrSG9OH7vskJ5xpdKmwtynDULDjEf3bL6Am_x4gQLkjurxK

31/03/2026

Trans Day of Visibility is a moment to recognise the strength, pride, lived and living experiences of trans and gender diverse people — and centre what young people are telling us they need to feel safe, supported and able to thrive.

From our recent Young & Wise LGBTQIA+ roundtables, young people shared:

“...I think that we do need larger and more funded spaces to help q***r kids transition safely and in a way that makes them experience the joy they want to...” — Aspen

Young people spoke about the role of adults and schools in shaping understanding and inclusion.

“A lot of that comes from their parents and the adults around them perpetuating conservative beliefs and negative stereotypes… that could definitely be combated in schools… with just the acknowledgement of q***r people’s existence… like having books that have q***r characters or themes... celebrating days that are dedicated towards q***r awareness or q***r joy. ” — Beau

Access to supportive environments and informed adults can shape what feels possible for young people.

“My brother came out as trans before me… he really only had the privilege to do that because our parents worked in s*xual health, so had exposure to the trans community.” — Lars

These reflections highlight something important: visibility alone isn’t enough — it must be matched with safe environments, inclusive education, and everyday support from the adults and systems around young people.

At ARACY, we see participation as prevention. When young people are heard, respected and reflected in the systems around them, it strengthens wellbeing across all domains of The Nest.

If you’re looking to deepen your understanding or take action as an ally, there are practical resources available:

• Trans Allyship Confidence Kit (Transgender Victoria) https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0K4T80

• Trans Talking Points (myth-busting resource) https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0K5b10

• Starter Guide to Allyship for Carers and Workers supporting LGBTQIA+SB young people in care (CREATE Foundation) https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0K52N0

Address

15 London Crt
Canberra, ACT
2601

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61262041610

Website

https://linktr.ee/aracy.australia

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