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November 2025
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A NOT TO BE MISSED Platform 1225
is coming up in March 2026!!!
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Home grown Comedian Mel Buttle will feature at our 2026 Platform 1225 – amidst the brilliant presentations and thought-provoking expertise Mel will ensure the great atmosphere of Platform 1225 prevails in 2026.
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We are thrilled that esteemed Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick is headlining Platform 1225 in 2026. Professor Fitzpatrick is an expert in the interactions between homelessness and child poverty – a crucial requirement given its causal role in driving homelessness in young adulthood.
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Professor Fitzpatrick will also share the wisdoms and warnings gleaned from the Scottish approach to ending homelessness including the benefits of cross-party political commitment and the blight of insufficient protections for women and children who have experienced Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) and are seeking safety.
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Queensland’s Professor Tim Prenzler will talk to - A space for all - policing public spaces - why highly organised integration with welfare services works.
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A panel of experts and young people will come together in a thought-provoking hypothetical.
Join us in building a solid platform for young people aged 12 to 25! More information coming soon….
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Early bird tickets are
AVAILABLE NOW!
Our latest addition to the fabulous lineup of presenters will be announced very soon.
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Click image or HERE to register!
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QYHCs AGM
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Thank you to all who joined us for our 2024-2025 AGM. It is always heartening to recap action packed years filled with the collaborative work of so many Specialist Youth Homelessness Services and key stakeholders focused on ensuring young people are front and centre in all we do.
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It’s also a great opportunity to celebrate and show our appreciation for our fabulous Young People, Management Committee, staff and members.
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QDN’s new Housing Options Website
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Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) launched My Housing Options website, offering a comprehensive range of resources to people with disability exploring their housing goals. The site features clear information, videos, and interactive activities designed to support individuals to consider where they want to live, what supports they may need, and the steps they can take to achieve their housing aspirations. Check it out here.
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Last days to have your say on families and children
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Federal Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, has proposed reforms to streamline support for families, children, and young people. Changes to five key programs aim to reduce red tape, simplify funding, and focus organisations’ attention on supporting their communities. Consultations are open until 5 December 2025 – share your feedback by attending a town hall, completing a survey, or making a submission. Find out more here.
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Child Safe Organisations
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The Queensland Family and Child Commission (the Commission) has published its Regulatory Approach for implementing the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (the Act).
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QFCC encourages you to review the Regulatory Approach and consider your organisation’s role in preventing harm before it occurs, as part of Queensland’s broader child safeguarding system.
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You can access the publication on the Commission’s website here.
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International day for the elimination of violence against women
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- You can read more and get involved here.
- Facts and Figures are available here.
- Resources are available here.
- AIHW's research on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence is available here.
- AIFS resources on coercive control can be accessed here.
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Transgender Awareness Week
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Transgender Awareness Week was 13th-19th November. It focuses on raising visibility for transgender, gender diverse and non-binary people. The week concluded with Transgender Day of Remembrance on 20 November, to honour those lost to anti-transgender violence. Resources to support practitioners working with transgender and gender diverse young people and their families are available:
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Australia’s youth justice and incarceration system Inquiry
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On 28 October 2025, the Senate referred an inquiry into Australia's youth justice and incarceration system to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 31 March 2026.
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The referral from the Senate includes a requirement for the committee to engage with and seek input from young people with lived experience in the youth justice system, and to seek evidence of effective alternative approaches to the incarceration of young people, including diversionary programs.
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Date referred: 28 October 2025
Submissions close: 19 December 2025
Reporting date: 31 March 2026
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More information or upload your submission here.
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24/7 Intake and support ISAs
for young people
Five Immediate Supported Accommodation (ISA) services are available to enhance service delivery and address regional needs. These feature 24/7 on-site support with two workers at peak service times and 24/7 intake services for improved accessibility.
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These programs are located in the regions of Cairns, Logan, Mount Isa, Moreton Bay, and Rockhampton. In Cairns, where two ISAs operate, each site continues to have a single overnight worker and does not offer 24/7 intake services.
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Young people can contact these services for support at any time on the numbers below:
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- Insync Beenleigh, Anglicare SQ:
(07) 3386 2000
- Mithangkaya Nguli - Young People Ahead - Mt Isa: (07) 4749 0840
- Darumbul – Rockhampton: (07) 4927 5715
- IFYS – Caboolture: (07) 3888 9355
Mobile: 0422 003 971
- Anglicare North Queensland, Cairns:
St Margaret’s – (07) 4033 2678;
St John’s – (07) 4032 4971
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Important Housing Products for young people
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Youth Subsidy for CHPs
The Youth Subsidy is available for registered community housing providers to find more opportunities for young people to move out of crisis accommodation into long-term, stable housing.
Read more about the Youth Subsidy here.
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You can read more updates here.
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Youth Essentials
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Youth Housing Essentials supports young people transitioning from government services. It offers tailored brokerage assistance of up to $5,000 per household to address their essential housing needs. It provides access to essential goods and services such as: furniture, white goods, education or work necessities. To access, a young person must be supported by a service provider, support agency or Housing Service. Find out more here.
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Renters Relief Package
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The Renters Relief Package has expanded eligibility for a range of products and services to help customers find and apply for a place to rent, help to get a rental, and help to keep their place if they’re having financial difficulties.
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- For more information visit The QLD government website here
- Or get in touch with your local Housing Service Centre Contact here
- Need housing assistance? Go to qld.gov.au/housinghelp, call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or the Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.  
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YAC’s latest innovation
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YAC is proud to share their new animated video designed to support and empower children and young people navigating the children's courts in Queensland.
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This free animation provides clear, accessible information to help young people understand what to expect when they attend court, their rights, and how to get support. In addition to reducing confusion, fear, and anxiety in young people facing court, it aims to empower young people to do everything they can to influence a positive outcome.
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The animation is part of YAC’s broader commitment to increase young people's access to legal and social justice in Queensland. It was funded by the Community Legal Education (CLE) Collaboration Fund and inspired by a resource developed by the Youth Justice Legal Centre UK.
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Youth Harm Reduction Kit
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This resource has been developed for young people who use substances, have friends who use substances or would like to educate themselves in an objective way about substances. You can download the booklet here.
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Ruby’s Reunification Program supports young people and their families to rebuild relationships and stay connected, with the aim to prevent involvement in the child protection and homelessness systems. The program offers short-term, home-like accommodation where families can take a break and focus on reuniting. There is a 4 bed property in North Brisbane and another on the Southside.
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ACCOS Survey
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SNAICC – National Voice for our Children is undertaking a new research project to develop fit-for-purpose funding model options for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations delivering child and family support services. SNAICC are inviting ACCOs to share your insights and experiences. Your feedback will play an important role in shaping a stronger, more sustainable funding model for ACCOs delivering child and family support services and will directly inform the project’s recommendations to government. Complete the ACCO Funding online survey here.
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For Brisbane South or Ipswich young people: Are you 15–24 and not working or studying? Join Busy At Work on 11 Dec, 10 am–12 pm at 1/9 William St, Goodna to meet 20+ employers and training providers, explore jobs and training, enjoy free food & drinks, and go in the draw to win a $200 voucher!
Register by calling: 0475 740 593 or email megan.watterson@busyatwork.com.au
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REPORTS, ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS
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National Youth Survey
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The findings of the National Youth Survey offer telling insights into realities for young people in Australia at present. In 2025, cost of living remained the most important issue for young people in Australia, with 64% of respondents identifying it as a concern.
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This has increased from 56% in 2024 and 31% in 2023. Cost of living was the highest ranked issue across all gender groups: 66% of females, 63% of males and 61% of gender diverse respondents. Mental health was the second most cited issue nationally (29%), with a notably higher proportion among females (36%) compared to gender diverse respondents (24%) and males (23%). Climate change and environment was third (27%), with a notably higher proportion among females (33%) and gender diverse respondents (31%) compared to males (22%). Another prominent issue was housing and homelessness (25%), which increased from 17% in 2024. One in five (20%) mentioned violence, safety and crime as a national issue, and 13% of respondents wrote about the issue of discrimination and inequality. You can read the report here.
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Shared Equity Programs
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New AHURI research shows shared equity programs could significantly expand home ownership. Reviewing 19 schemes across four countries, the study found strong demand for government-led options, with 85% of aspiring Australian renter households unable to buy without support. However, many potential users remain unclear on how the schemes work, leading to mixed views on their appeal. You can read the report here.
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Supporting the wellbeing of
children in OOHC
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This webinar shares practical, child-centred approaches to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children in out-of-home care (OOHC). It covers the impacts of OOHC on participation, identity and self-worth; the importance of culture for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; ways to use conversations and activities to strengthen wellbeing; and strategies to engage children in meaningful, identity-affirming ways.
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Available from 25 November to 16 December, the session is part of a co-produced series from CFCA at the Australian Institute of Family Studies and Emerging Minds. Register here.
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Housing & Temp Visa Holders
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Australia’s housing crisis is affecting temporary migrants. This report highlights both the challenges they face and the opportunities to strengthen support. The study examines the unique housing issues experienced by temporary migrants and how these pressures influence their wellbeing and capacity to participate economically. It also explores how new or improved support systems could enhance both migrant outcomes and their contribution to the community. You can read the report here.
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Is supply the answer to
our housing crisis?
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The National Housing Conference session “Is supply the silver bullet?” is now available on ABC Radio National’s Big Ideas. Host Natasha Mitchell leads a discussion with Professor Rachel Ong ViforJ, David Reynolds PSM and Dr Tim Williams on whether increasing housing supply can truly solve Australia’s housing crisis. You can listen here.
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Evidence based approaches
to child justice
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With case studies from Australia, Scotland, USA, Netherlands and Spain, the supplement shows how primary prevention, early intervention, integrated services and therapeutic community-based approaches that emphasise family and cultural connections can transform outcomes for children.
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The examples also show that sustained and collective commitment to reform across the health, education, welfare and justice sectors is crucial to success.
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You can read the report here.
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Talking to children and young people about consent
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In this episode of the Emerging Minds Families podcast practical tips for helping children make informed decisions about their bodies and relationships are shared. You can learn how to start these important conversations, model consent, and support children’s overall wellbeing. Listen here.
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Become a Housing First Trainer!
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Homelessness Australia is seeking experienced practitioners for Round 4 of the national Housing First Train the Trainer course (6 weeks online, starting February 2026). Applicants should have Housing First or values-based service experience, be confident trainers, and have organisational support.
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Participants will deliver local training and join a national Trainers Community of Practice. Sixteen spots are available.
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Insight's Trauma Informed Care training package is online!
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Informed by people with lived experience alongside expert practitioners from government and NGO service providers, this new package contains 11 eLearning modules, 45 mini-videos, and numerous downloadable tools and other resources. Access here.
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Managing Young Tenants
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This resource provides a deeper understanding of working with young tenants, to assist property managers in feeling more equipped and confident in their work with young people. It includes trauma-informed and mental health aware tenancy management as well as available subsidies and support services. Read more here.
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Boost Youth Mental Health Skills
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Are you a youth worker supporting young people facing mental health challenges?
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Youth Affairs Network of Queensland (YANQ) and the University of Adelaide offer free online training that includes:
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- Engaging video content that breaks down key mental health concepts in an accessible way.
- Reflective exercises
- Practical templates that guide decision-making when working with young people experiencing distress.
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Dylan Alcott Foundation Grants
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Young Australians (26 years or under) living with disability can apply for grants to support personal, professional, vocational, or sporting goals. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. The funding aims to boost confidence, unlock potential, and help them achieve their dreams. Applications are accepted all year round.
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Find more information here.
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In case you missed last month’s features
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Anglicare Rental Affordability
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Essential workers – people whose jobs keep hospitals running, classrooms open, and services delivered – are now among those hardest hit by the rental crisis. Poverty and rental stress are climbing the income ladder, spreading into jobs once considered secure and relatively well paid. The crisis is undermining the ability of essential services to function, as the workers who provide them cannot afford a secure home near the places they are needed most.
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This report marks the third release of the Rental Affordability Snapshot: Essential Workers Edition. A companion piece to Anglicare Australia’s annual Rental Affordability Snapshot, this report reveals just how pervasive and widespread the rental crisis has become. Anglicare calls for bold action. You can read the report here.
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Growing Up In Australia –
latest findings released
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This Longitudinal Study of Australian Children has followed 10,000 young Australians from childhood to adulthood, exploring development in Australia’s unique social and cultural environment. The latest 2023–24 data reveals fresh insights about 19–24-year-olds, now available for researchers, policymakers, and anyone curious about young Australians’ journeys.
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Suicidal thoughts and behaviours in adolescence
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Growing Up in Australia Snapshot Series – Issue 14
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Around one-third (34%) of young people ever reported having suicidal thoughts and behaviours by 18–19 years of age, with females (38%) more likely to have than males (31%) (Figure 1). These findings complement the findings of the 2020–22 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, which showed that younger people had a higher prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviours than older age groups and that females had a higher prevalence than males (ABS, 2020–22).
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You can read the findings and recommendations here.
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Safeside Prevention
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Professor Pat Dudgeon, the first Aboriginal psychologist in Australia and a global voice for First Nations mental health describes how confronting the racism in the system sparked her mission to “decolonise” psychology and build a new framework called Social and Emotional Wellbeing, a model that places self, family, community, culture, and Country at the centre of healing. Watch here.
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