YSAS Submission: Inquiry into Australia’s Youth Justice and Incarceration System

The 2025 Victorian Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Census has revealed that Victorian Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Services can make an extremely valuable contribution to preventing youth crime and improving community safety. 

The Census report details the needs and characteristics of 893 young people when they were first engaged by Victorian Youth Alcohol and Other…

At YSAS, youth participation isn’t just encouraged, it’s at the core of what we do. Two Youth Peer Advocates, Lucia and Kayla, have used their lived experience to shape services, support peers, and drive real change.

Both started their journey as clients – Lucia at headspace Collingwood, and Kayla at Birribi. Through giving feedback…

“Programs and services must wrap around young people and families and be shaped by their needs and preferences. Otherwise, young people can end up left bouncing between systems.”

It’s been two weeks since the 2025 YSAS Conference, where workers and sector leaders came together to explore integrated, responsive care and…

We are thrilled to announce our YSAS 2024 Annual Report has arrived!

At YSAS, our vision is to create a positive future for young people, and we did some truly amazing work in 2024 in pursuit of that vision.

Inside you’ll find:

Emotional regulation is something most of us struggle with at different times, especially when we are young. “We know that adolescence is a period of time where you have less agency, drivers that differ from adults and there are more developmental changes going on,” says Kellie Ferris, Senior Trainer and…

Koorie Youth Council (KYC) Deputy CEO Leyla Quartermaine has known the power of the Aboriginal community since she was little. “I was raised by my grandmother, but also very much raised by the Victorian Aboriginal community,” says the proud Noongar woman. “I’m a pretty big example of it taking a…

Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS), The Loop Australia and Harm Reduction Victoria, in partnership with the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Youth Projects and Metabolomics Australia (University of Melbourne) collectively welcome the announcement by the Victorian Government of the fixed site location for the Victorian Pill Testing Service at 95 Brunswick…

We are so proud to announce the launch of our 2023 YSAS Annual Report!

Inside, you’ll find real stories about young people, families and workers that showcase our remarkable impact over the last 25+ years.

Here’s just a taste of what you’ll learn about:

The broad range of multidisciplinary…