Research is essential in gaining a greater understanding of youth development and informing policy and programs to meet young people’s needs. This section provides the latest research projects, reports and programs that are relevant to the West Australian youth sector.
Australia has a number of research institutions and networks for distribution of research about young people.
The Australian Government Office for Youth delivers on a range of projects and programs to help young Australians to reach their full potential and assist vulnerable young Australians to engage with their families and the community. The Office for Youth website provides reports on the outcomes of their research and programs.
The Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies (ACYS) publishes the Youth Studies Australia journal, the monthly newsletter Youth Field Xpress and provides a comprehensive collection of research, sector contacts, programs, publications and news.
The Youth Research Centre, established in 1988, is located within the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. The Centre is committed to research that benefits young people, where possible involving them in research. It is also committed to improving practice in the education, youth, health and community sectors. This is achieved through its research and development programs, as well as its role in teaching and research training.
The Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) is a research program that tracks young people as they move from school to post-school destinations.
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) is Australia's principal provider of vocational education training research and statistics
The Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) is a national, independent, non-profit organisation dedicated solely to young people. The Foundation conducts research and evaluation and develops programs that foster engagement in learning, address access and equity issues and link schools and communities.
The National Youth Affairs Research Scheme (NYARS) facilitates nationally based research into factors affecting young people. The Scheme’s research findings assist with the formulation and assessment of policy development and implementation by Australian, State and Territory Ministers and Departments responsible for youth affairs.
The Cooperative Research Centre for Young People, Technology and Wellbeing (YAW-CRC) led by the Inspire Foundation, unites young people with researchers, practitioners and innovators from 70 partner organisations across the not-for-profit, academic, government and corporate sectors.
Some of the other key research papers of relevance to Western Australia are listed below. If you are a researcher who has just published, or if you know of important research you think should be available on this site, please email youngpeople@communities.wa.gov.au
The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) is a national non-profit organisation that aims to improve the wellbeing of Australia's children and young people through advancing collaboration and evidence-based action.
ARACY has a comprehensive library of resources available for downloading. Materials include research and topical papers, reports, presentations and annual reports. The library can be accessed at http://www.aracy.org.au/index.cfm?pageName=publications
Each year, Mission Australia asks Australians aged 11 to 24 what they value, where they turn for advice and support, what issues concern them, how they are involved with their community and their feelings about their future. Click here to see the results from the 2011 Mission Australia National Survey of Young Australians.
Literature Review on Youth Mentoring Final Report 25 October 2011 This report explores the intersection between youth mentoring and youth disengagement from education, with a view to identifying areas where youth mentoring works well with identified groups of disengaged young people, as well as areas where further research would be useful
Gay and Lesbian Community Services (GLCS) WA has received a three-month contract to consult the LGBT community for the One Life suicide prevention strategy. GLCS will be working to create a comprehensive community action plan which will go before the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention for approval. Community members are invited to have their say on initiatives and activities that would benefit the community. For further information about the community consultations please email community@glcs.org.au
The Commissioner for Children and Young People advocates for all children and young people in Western Australia, giving special regard to Aboriginal children and young people and children and young people who are vulnerable or disadvantaged for any reason. The Commissioner undertakes research on a range of issues relating to children and young people in Western Australia, including alcohol, mental health and the built environment. Click here to view publications released by the Commissioner.