NSW Youth Week

What is Youth Week?

Youth Week is an opportunity for young people across NSW to come together in their local communities. Councils, youth organisations and schools work with young people to host free activities, events and competitions!

If you live in NSW and are aged between 12 and 24, you can get involved and celebrate Youth Week by:

• attending live events
• showcasing your talents
• taking part in competitions
• using your voice to advocate for things young people want in your local community
• having fun!

Learn more about how to participate in Youth Week

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Video transcript

NSW Youth Week 2026

Get ready for the 2026 New South Wales Youth Week.

Youth Week is an opportunity for young people across New South Wales to come together in their local communities. It is an opportunity to have our voices heard, take action, and advocate for things in our community, showcase our talents, attend live events, celebrate ourselves and each other, and to most importantly have fun.

The theme for this year is ‘Dream. Dare. Do.’ 

Encourage young people to live with courage to dream big and take positive steps towards their dreams. It runs from 16th to the 26th of April, with lots of events happening all across New South Wales. Get involved and find out what‘s happening near you at nsw.gov.au/youthweek.

Youth Week 2026 theme

The theme for NSW Youth Week 2026 is ‘Dream. Dare. Do.’

The theme was proposed by 15-year-old Hafsa, who is a member of the 2026 NSW Youth Advisory Council. Hafsa states that the theme “encourages creativity and courage, inspiring young people to dream big and take real steps to make those dreams happen.”

The theme was one of three suggested by youth advisory groups in NSW, and voted on by children and young people in NSW.

A media kit including a promotion video, posters and socials tiles is available for local councils to support promotions.

Youth Week 2026 grants

Youth Week 2026 grants open on Monday, 16 February 2026 and close Monday, 9 March 2026. Detailed information is available in the program guidelines and grant program FAQs. 

NSW local councils operating under the Local Government Act 1993 are eligible to apply for this program. The list of eligible councils and the funding available for each can be found in the Youth Week 2026 LGA allocation guide.

Local councils will receive an email inviting them to apply for the grant on Monday, 16 February 2026. If your council has not received an invitation by 5pm that day, please email 
grants@officeforyouth.nsw.gov.au