Youth Parliament

What is Youth Parliament?

Our Youth Parliament program provides school-aged students with the opportunity to experience the parliamentary processes of Queensland first-hand as Youth Members. Participation in this program is free.

Students allocated a speaking role will either:

  • debate a mock Bill or motion, or
  • speak in an adjournment debate or Private Members’ Statement about any issue falling within the jurisdiction of the Queensland Parliament.

Students may also be given non-speaking or scripted roles.

Who can take part and when does it happen?

Who can take part?

Students in Years 5 and 6 can participate in our Primary Youth Parliament and Junior Indigenous Youth Parliament.

Students in Years 11 and 12 can participate in our Legal Studies Youth Parliament Program.

2025 calendar

For Year 5 and 6 students—

For Year 11 and 12 students—

Participating schools need to arrive by 9.00am or 9.30am (depending on the program), departing at 1.30pm to 2.00pm. A complementary morning tea is included for all students, teachers and caregivers.

What's involved?

Teachers

  • Attend one online briefing presentation before or after school (we’ll email you an MS Teams invitation via MS Outlook).
  • Select students to take part.
  • Distribute and collect forms provided by the Parliamentary Education team.
  • Assist students in writing and/or practicing their speech (if required).
  • Supervise and support your students on the day.

Students

  • Write and present a speech if they are a Youth Member. We encourage you to bring 2 x copies of the speech, printing on A4 paper on the day. 
  • Fulfill a role requirement if allocated a scripted or non-speaking role.
  • Complete and return any forms to their teacher.

How to apply

To take part simply nominate your students online via Humanitix, with a link found on each Youth Parliament webpage.

  • For Primary Youth Parliaments—each school can nominate up to 6 x Year 5 and/or 6 students.
  • For Junior Indigenous Youth Parliaments—each school can nominate up to 10 x Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students from Year 5 and/or 6.
  • For Legal Studies Youth Parliament—each school can nominate up to 4 x Year 11 and/or 12 students currently studying Legal Studies.

The number of student participants allocated per school will depend on the number of schools that nominate to take part. To be advised when future dates open, subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Humanitix.

Resources for teachers and students

For teachers

For students

Additional information: key roles

All Youth Members will be given a booklet on the day, which contains a script and directions. Members of the Education team will also brief students allocated a key role to ensure they know what to do on the day. 

It may also help to watch previous Youth Parliaments or read a recent Record of Proceedings (Hansard).

 

Need more information?

Parliamentary Education team
Email:  parliamentary.education@parliament.qld.gov.au