NSW Strategic Plan for Children and Young People

Three illustrated speech bubbles.

We’re developing a new Strategic Plan for Children and Young People 2027-2030.

This will be a statewide, whole-of-government plan that:

  • focuses on the big, systemic issues impacting children and young people
  • gives priority to children and young people with unmet needs
  • makes sure the voices of children and young people are at the centre of decisions.

We know there’s already a lot going on to support children and young people across NSW – but there are still important issues and gaps we need to address.

The Strategic Plan will outline the shared vision for children and young people in NSW and what the NSW Government – together with children, young people and the people who support them – will prioritise for the next four years to make NSW a better, fairer place for all children and young people.

When we talk about children and young people, we are referring to people aged 0 to 24 years.

We are partnering with Thirriwirri, a proudly First Nations-owned and -led business, to meaningfully engage with First Nations children and young people. Please contact us for further details on engagement activities.

 

“Space to speak”: What we heard during consultations for the NSW Strategic Plan for Children and Young People 2027–2030

During the consultation period, we spoke to:

5,200
children and young people across regional and metropolitan NSW
550
stakeholders, including NSW Government officials and councils, sector stakeholders, parents and carers

 

 

Key consultation findings by theme

Illustration of a purple heart with an electrocardiogram line.

Healthy and well

Children and young people told us they want:

  • Affordable and accessible mental, physical and dental health care
  • Easy access to trusted information and support services
  • More support to stay healthy and build positive habits
  • Better education about vaping, gambling, drugs and healthy technology use
Illustration of a house with a heart inside.

Supported and safe

Children and young people told us they want:

  • Affordable housing and help with the rising cost of living
  • Equal opportunities for children and young people facing additional challenges
  • Stronger support for young people in care, young parents and those involved with the justice system
  • Fair and respectful support when they need it
Illustration of a shooting star with a twinkle.

Educated and thriving

Children and young people told us they want:

  • Better support to plan for future study, training and careers

  • Practical life skills for adulthood, including money management and job readiness
  • Extra help for students who need it
  • Fair access to opportunities, regardless of where they go to school
Illustration of two hands giving a high-five.

Community connection

Children and young people told us they want:

  • Affordable activities that help them connect with others
  • Reliable and affordable transport to get where they need to go
  • Safe, welcoming places where young people can spend time together
  • Communities where everyone feels accepted, included and respected
Illustration of a megaphone.

Voice and influence

Children and young people told us they want:

  • More opportunities to have a say in decisions that affect them
  • Information that helps them understand government, democracy and voting
  • Consultation that is accessible, inclusive and meets young people where they are
  • Government to listen, respond and be accountable

 

 

Download the papers

Individual chapters from the “Space to speak” report

Thirriwirri reports

Webinar recording and presentation

 

Timeline

December 2025 – March 2026 Preliminary research and planning
April – June 2026 Consultation period
July – September 2026 Analysis and ‘What we heard’ paper
December 2026 Strategic Plan for Children and Young People 2027–2030

 

FAQs

What is a strategic plan?

 A strategic plan is a document that sets out a vision and explains the focus areas and actions to help achieve it. It guides decisions about what to work on and how to make it happen.

Who will implement the strategic plan?

The NSW Advocate for Children and Young People, through the NSW Office for Youth, is responsible for developing and reporting on the plan. We will also implement some of the priorities in the plan – but it will also be the responsibility of other NSW Government agencies to implement priorities.

The NSW Advocate for Children and Young People, through the NSW Office for Youth, will manage the plan from start to finish – including its:

  • development

  • implementation 

  • monitoring, and

  • independent evaluation.

The Office for Youth will work with other government agencies to implement the Strategic Plan.

Who can I contact if I have questions or want to learn more?

Contact the Office for Youth’s Policy team via email: info@officeforyouth.nsw.gov.au

I am a young person who participated in a face-to-face consultation. How will the information I provide be used?

If you are a young person aged 14–24 who participated in a face-to-face consultation with the Office for Youth, you will be asked to:

  • Complete a survey that asks your opinion about potential ways to ensure children and young people are educated and thriving, healthy and well, connected to their community, safe and supported and have voice and influence. You will also be invited to provide your name and email if you would like to:
    • sign up to our newsletter,
    • be invited to participate in consultations, surveys or polls with the NSW Government,
    • enter the draw for a chance to win 1 of 10 $100 gift cards.

      You can find out more about how we will use, disclose and store your personal information and seek parent or guardian consent, where required, in our privacy statement. If you opted to enter the draw, please refer to terms and conditions for how your personal information will be used to administer the draw. 
  • Participate in a focus group or interactive activities to share your ideas about each of the Strategic Plan themes. With your consent, the session may be recorded for note-taking purposes. Nothing you tell us will be linked to you in any way.