Making Parliament real for students

What is Youth Parliament?

Our Youth Parliament program provides school 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 Parliaments and Junior Indigenous Youth Parliament.

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

2026 schedule

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), and can depart at 1.30pm to 2.00pm. Parents, caregivers and other supporters are welcome! A complementary morning tea is included for all students, teachers and supporters.

What's involved?

Teachers

  • Attend one online briefing 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 you are a Youth Member. We encourage you to bring 2 x copies of the speech with you on the day, printed on A4 paper. 
  • Fulfill your role requirements.
  • Ask your parents or caregivers to complete any forms (online, or on paper and returned to your teacher).

How do I apply?

Teachers simply nominate your students online via Humanitix. You can find the event link on each Youth Parliament webpage.

  • For Primary Youth Parliaments—each school can nominate up to 10 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 seats allocated per school will depend on the number of schools nominating 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 Parliamentary Education team will also brief students allocated a key role to ensure they know what to do. You can watch videos about each of these key parliamentary roles in our People of Parliament playlist on YouTube.

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

 

After Youth Parliament

To maximise the learning experience, you could follow up your Youth Parliament experience by:

  • Viewing our range of teaching resources to use in your classroom.
  • Watching the Legislative Assembly Chamber live feed on the next sitting day or view an archived broadcast.
  • Subscribing to our newsletter to keep up to date with what’s happening in Parliamentary Education.
  • Setting a task that involves your students writing to their local Member of Parliament or starting a petition about an issue impacting their school.

 

Need more information?

Parliamentary Education team
Email:  parliamentary.education@parliament.qld.gov.au 
Phone: (07) 3553 6416