Young Mayors Hume

What are the key dates? 

• February – May 2025: Getting to know the Hume Young Mayors program
• 06 June 2025: Hume Young Mayors Launch Event 
• July 2025: Nomination period (6-weeks)
• August 2025: Campaign Skills and Campaigning Period (8-weeks)
• October 2025 – November 2025: Hume Elections period
• December 2025: Induction and Swearing in Ceremony
• January 2026: Term in Office (12-month term)

What suburbs and towns are in the City of Hume?

Check out a locality map here.

Nominations for the Hume Youth Council are open to young people aged between 11 and 17 years of age (at the time of application) living or studying in the City of Hume. You do not need to be an Australian citizen to nominate yourself.

Why can’t over 18s run for Youth Council?
Australian citizens aged 18 and over are eligible to vote in local, state and federal elections, and can nominate themselves to run for election to represent their constituents at all levels (and we encourage you to consider it!)

We have paid opportunities available for young people to deliver presentations at schools, support other young people to nominate themselves, help coordinate Election Week, set up and manage voting centers, and count votes.

How will the campaign process be managed to ensure it is respectful and equitable? 

We are committed to this program being a safe, accessible opportunity for all young people.

All candidates will be asked to sign a code of conduct when they nominate themselves to run for Youth Council, based on the Human Rights Legal Framework.

Candidates will be given campaign support by FYA, and will not be allowed to use any personal funds or seek donations (cash or in-kind) for their campaigns. We want to make sure all young people, regardless of privilege, are on an equal playing field.

Can candidates use social media to promote campaigns?

Social media can be used for campaigns as freely available tools for promotion. Candidates will be asked to follow a set of guidelines for social media use during their Campaign period and Term in office, if elected. Candidates can not run cash advertising on social media platforms.

A comprehensive set of child safeguarding policies underpin all of FYA’s work. In addition, a well-being plan tailored to the program in Hume will be in place to ensure young people are using social media safely, with clear avenues for support should any incidents occur

Where and when will the election happen?

The election will be held in November 2025. Across the week, ballot boxes will be set up in high schools across the City of Hume. Check back early in mid-2025 to find out if your school is involved.

As well as schools, we’re interested in setting up ballot boxes in community spaces where young people visit, so that all young people aged 11-17 have the opportunity to vote; not just those who go to school.

How does voting work?

Voting will be optional preferential to replicate state and federal government voting systems.

Candidates will be split into wards to make sure the Youth Council is representative of all parts of the region. Young people aged 11-17 (inclusive) will be eligible to vote in their ward for the candidates running for election in that ward.

I won’t be at school during Election Week. How can I vote?

If you want your vote to count but your school isn’t participating in the program, you don’t go to school or you won’t be at school on the day the ballot boxes are there, don’t worry! There will be other community spaces that you can vote at or you can email youngmayors@fya.org.au and we’ll figure out a voting alternative.

How often and where will the Youth Council meet, and what’s the time commitment?

Youth Council will meet once a fortnight, alternating between in-person meetings at the Broadmeadows Youth Centre, and online via zoom. Meetings will be 1.5 to 2 hours on a weekday after school (day of the week to be confirmed).

We know transport can be tricky across Hume. If any Youth Councillors can’t attend meetings because of transport, we’ll find a way to help – just let us know when you complete your nomination form.

As well as fortnightly meetings, Youth Council may have the chance to go to other City of Hume meetings and other events, which will be decided as the Term in Office rolls out.

What type of projects and campaigns will the Hepburn Youth Council run?
The Youth Council will decide their priorities based on issues identified by young people in the City of Hume.

The projects run by youth councils around the world have covered a range of issues, including: 

• Campaigns for mental health, LGBTIQ+ equality, poverty reduction, sustainability, safety and tourism
• Youth homelessness support projects
• Lowering the age of travel concessions
• New inclusive council programs for young people with disabilities
• Forums that bring young people together with local, state, and federal decision makers
• New sports competitions, music programs, and art exhibitions

During the Term in Office, the Youth Council will regularly consult with their constituents (other young people) to make sure their work is meeting the needs of young people in the community. Consultation will happen in different ways, including surveys, peer-peer conversations, attending local events and hearing from Council staff.

Does it cost anything to be involved? Will members be paid?
The program is completely free to participate in.

Youth Council members will be paid a quarterly stipend of $250 ($1000 across the Term in Office) to recognise that costs might come up as a part of being involved (eg. transport).

Food will be provided for meetings with all dietary requirements catered to.

Is the Young Mayors program a school activity?
No. Elections will be run at schools, but the Young Mayors program is not part of the curriculum.

Youth Council runs outside of school time, but it’s best to let your school know you’ll be getting involved either as a candidate, or as an elected Council member. A letter to your school can be provided on request.

On occasion, Youth Council members may have the chance to get involved in activities that run during school hours, with advanced notice.

What safeguarding is in place for young people in this program?

The Young Mayors program works with young people aged 11 to 17 years. We recognise this program puts young people in the public spotlight, and this can create vulnerabilities.

A well-being plan tailored to each community is developed at the beginning of the program, based on a thorough co-design process undertaken with each local government area.

The well-being plan includes, but is not limited to specific actions and support available to keep young people safe, processes to report harm, and clarity on expectations young people can have of each other, partners involved and the general public.

FYA and our partners are required to have Working With Childrens’ Checks and adhere to a comprehensive set of safeguarding policies and legislative requirements.

What inclusion and accessibility support is available?

We are working hard to make every part of the program as accessible to as many people as possible. This includes using wheelchair accessible venues, having the option to provide Auslan Interpreters for events, providing single and gender neutral bathrooms, creating social scripts and maintaining COVID safety. 

We are committed to supporting all access requirements and welcome suggestions for any access needs not covered here. Please email Mehak Sheikh (she/her) on mehak.sheikh@fya.org.au or 0424 635 722 if you have any questions or comments about inclusion and accessibility.

During the nominations period, we’ll be coming to participating schools and community groups to tell you more about the Young Mayors program and how you can get involved. Check back here in mind-2025 to see if your school or community group is on the list.

In the meantime, if you have a question that hasn’t been answered here, get in touch with the Young Mayors Team for support on youngmayors@fya.org.au or book a time to chat here.