The Andrews Labor Government is putting young people’s experiences, needs and ideas at the centre of its plan to support young Victorians and their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister for Youth Ros Spence launched Victoria’s first Youth Strategy, backed by more than $600 million from across government in this year’s state budget.

To complement the strategy, an additional $5.3 million will open doors for young Victorians to be involved in policy development, to access opportunities in education, jobs and community, and to support their mental and physical wellbeing.

The strategy, developed in consultation with more than 2,000 young people, sector partners and community members, includes 74 initiatives that will be delivered over five years.

It includes a $1 million investment for youth hubs in Geelong and outer metropolitan Melbourne to improve access to services, as well as $750,000 for a Life Skills Toolkit – answering young people’s call for practical guidance during their transition to independence.

More than $1.5 million will provide employment pathways for more than 2,000 young people in the creative and sport and recreation sectors.

Under the strategy, young people with lived experience of mental ill health will be directly involved in the design and delivery of a new mental health system that responds to the needs of young Victorians.

Vulnerable young people will have better access to affordable public transport, with $847,000 allocated in the 2022-23 State Budget for 30-day free public transport passes for school students in crisis.

The Head Start apprenticeships and traineeships program will be expanded to every government school across the state – backed by $69.4 million in the 2022-23 State Budget.

Organisations such as the Youth Affairs Council Victoria, Koorie Youth Council and The Push will help deliver youth-focused initiatives under the strategy, with the sector and the Victorian Youth Congress to help guide its implementation.

For more information visit youthcentral.vic.gov.au/youthstrategy.