Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA)

What Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) does

Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) is the peak body for the non-government youth sector in Western Australia, operating as an independent, non-profit advocacy organization headquartered at Level 5, 200 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth. The WA Youth Awards program was established in 1999, anchoring the organization's institutional history, and it now serves young people aged 10-25, non-government youth sector organizations, and state/federal government stakeholders through policy advocacy, sector convening, and direct member services. Its work is framed by values of respect, equity, integrity, and the celebration of diversity, and addresses fragmented youth voice in policy, recognition gaps, sector capacity constraints, and barriers facing marginalized young people (LGBTQIA+, culturally diverse, and disabled cohorts).

YACWA's portfolio comprises more than a dozen programs organized across three pillars: youth leadership (YACWA Yapper, Youth Pride Network, Youth Homelessness Advisory Council, Youth Advisory Groups); events and recognition (annual WA Youth Awards with 11 sponsored categories, biennial FairGround Conference, Catalyst Youth Summit for multicultural youth, YACtivate!); and sector support (Advisory Services with paid training, WA Youth Services Directory, Youth Educating Peers Project, Small Grants Program, Youth Work Code of Ethics, Youth Research Hub). The organization's underlying technology footprint is minimal — the only disclosed digital platform is the WA Youth Services Directory, a static online resource listing for locating youth services. No proprietary software, AI systems, mobile applications, or data products were disclosed in the source material.

The revenue model is diversified across three streams: recurring individual membership fees (providing access to The Loop member hub, job board, and event discounts); one-time event registrations via Humanitix (FairGround tiers from $200 subsidized youth tickets to $780 government/corporate, plus WA Youth Awards gala tickets); and corporate/government sponsorship (named partners include Mission Australia, Anglicare WA, MercyCare, The Y WA, Youth Focus, ECU, Carers WA, and the Commissioner for Children and Young People WA). As with most non-profit peak bodies, government grant funding is likely material but is not itemized in source data. The go-to-market is community-led — sector convening, policy advocacy, member engagement, and event-driven recognition — rather than commercial sales.

Name

Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA)

Legal name

Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia

Website

https://yacwa.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Peak body and independent non-profit advocate for Western Australia's non-government youth sector, serving young people aged 10-25 through annual awards, biennial conferences, advisory services, youth leadership networks, and policy advocacy at state and federal level.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Advocacy and Sector Support Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

Keywords

• Youth advocacy services
• Nonprofit sector support
• Youth policy advocacy
• Community engagement programs
• Youth leadership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Perth

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: YACWA operates a membership program offering individual membership with benefits including access to The Loop member hub, job board, event discounts, and sector support resources.
2. Event tickets and conference registrations: Revenue from FairGround Conference registrations (bi-annual) and WA Youth Awards gala dinner tickets. Conference pricing ranges from $200 (YACtivate) to $780 (Government/Corporate).
3. Sponsorship: Corporate and organizational sponsorship of major events including WA Youth Awards and FairGround Conference. Sponsors include Mission Australia, Anglicare WA, MercyCare, The Y WA, Youth Focus, ECU, Carers WA, and Commissioner for Children and Young People.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

YACWA is the independent peak body for the non-government youth sector in Western Australia, providing policy advocacy at state and federal level, sector capacity building through training and resources, youth recognition via annual awards, sector convening through the biennial FairGround Conference, and direct youth engagement via leadership programs, advisory groups, and the WA Youth Services Directory. It operates a membership program for individuals and sector organizations, and delivers advisory and training services to youth-sector clients.

Product overview

YACWA (Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia) is a non-profit peak body serving as a united, independent advocate for the non-government youth sector and young people. Rather than a single product, YACWA offers a portfolio of programs and services including: the annual WA Youth Awards recognizing young people's achievements; the bi-annual FairGround Conference for sector professionals; Advisory Services providing workshops and training; the WA Youth Services Directory helping locate youth services; Youth Leadership networks including YACWA Yapper, Youth Pride Network, and Youth Homelessness Advisory Council; the Youth Educating Peers (YEP) education program; Catalyst Youth Summit for multicultural youth; YACtivate! youth engagement program; and various Sector Support services including grants, training, and the Youth Research Hub. These offerings work together to advocate for young people, provide professional development, and support the youth sector across Western Australia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WA Youth Awards: Annual awards program established in 1999 to recognise young Western Australians aged 10 to 25 years for their achievements and contributions to the community, and to reward outstanding youth groups and organisations.
• FairGround Conference
• YACWA Yapper
• Youth Pride Network
• Youth Homelessness Advisory Council
• YACtivate!
• Catalyst Youth Summit
• YEP (Youth Educating Peers) Project

Products and services

• WA Youth Awards Annual awards program recognizing young Western Australians aged 10-25 years for achievements and contributions to the community; also rewards outstanding youth groups and organisations providing services to young people.
• FairGround Conference YACWA's flagship bi-annual conference bringing together youth workers, advocates, creatives, researchers, and changemakers from across Western Australia for learning and networking.
• Advisory Services Workshops and training programs including chairing and facilitation, youth participation in planning and decision making, establishing youth advisory groups, peer researcher training, youth project design, and Young Changemaker workshops for sector clients.
• WA Youth Services Directory Online directory to find youth services across Western Australia, helping young people, families, and sector workers locate support services in their area.
• YACWA Yapper Youth leadership and advocacy network run by and for young people in Western Australia.
• Youth Pride Network Network supporting and advocating for LGBTQIA+ young people in Western Australia.
• Youth Homelessness Advisory Council (YHAC) Advisory body providing guidance on youth homelessness issues and advocacy in Western Australia.
• Youth Educating Peers (YEP) Project Peer education program focused on youth sexual health and wellbeing education.
• Catalyst Youth Summit Three-day summit for young people from refugee or migrant backgrounds aged 18-25, featuring leadership training, advocacy workshops, and opportunities to engage with politicians and decision makers.
• YACtivate! Program for young people to get involved in YACWA activities, with regional bursaries and youth planning groups supporting youth engagement across Western Australia.
• Sector Support Services Includes grants programs, youth worker recruitment resources, Youth Work Code of Ethics, Youth Work WA platform, training workshops, and the Youth Research Hub supporting the non-government youth sector.
• Small Grants Program Provides small grants to support youth sector initiatives and community projects led by or benefiting young people in Western Australia.

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Social Reinvestment WAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2025YACWA supports principles outlined in Social Reinvestment WA's Blueprint for a Better Future, calling for sustained government investment in prevention and early intervention initiatives designed and led by local communities.
• Mission AustraliacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 September 2025Mission Australia sponsors the Young Changemaker Award at WA Youth Awards, recognizing young people aged 12-25 fighting against injustice and inequality. Mission Australia also partners with Nyoongar Outreach Services on the Youth At Risk Strategy: Home Safe initiative.
• Anglicare WAcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 September 2025Anglicare WA sponsors the Creative Contribution Award at WA Youth Awards. Anglicare WA also partners through Street Connect and Passages Youth Engagement Hub (Vinnies WA) on the Youth Street Health program providing healthcare to homeless young people.
• MercyCarecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 September 2025MercyCare sponsors the Positive Achievement Award at WA Youth Awards, recognizing young people who have overcome significant challenges through lived experience.
• The Y WAcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 September 2025The Y WA sponsors the Collective Action Award at WA Youth Awards. The Y WA also runs the Youth Parliament program empowering Western Australians aged 15-25.
• Youth FocuscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 September 2025Youth Focus sponsors the Sector Collaboration Award at WA Youth Awards. Youth Focus works to improve mental health and wellbeing of young Western Australians.
• Edith Cowan University (ECU)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 September 2025ECU sponsors the Community Leadership Award at WA Youth Awards. ECU also coordinates youth work education programs and research.
• Carers WAcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 September 2025Carers WA sponsors the Milestone Award at WA Youth Awards, recognizing young carers who balance caring responsibilities with personal goals.
• Commissioner for Children and Young People WAcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 September 2025Commissioner for Children and Young People WA sponsors the Participate Award at WA Youth Awards, supporting recognition of young people's community contributions.
• Youth Disability Advocacy Network (YDAN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2025YDAN is Western Australia's leading advocacy body for young people with disability. Partnered on the Equestrian Youth Engagement Service (EYES) with YACWA, Australian Childhood Foundation, Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation, and Centre for Social Impact UWA.
• The Esplanade Hotel by RydgesminorOthers · 12 June 2025Venue partner for FairGround Conference 2025 held at The Esplanade Hotel in Walyalup (Fremantle), 46-54 Marine Terrace, Fremantle WA 6160.
• Office of Multicultural InterestscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Government sponsor for Catalyst Youth Summit, supporting young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds aged 18-25.
• LotterywestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsors Catalyst Youth Summit and State of the Youth Sector Forum 2021.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Commissioner for Children and Young People WA: Independent statutory office that sponsors the Participate Award at WA Youth Awards. Comparable in its role advocating for children and young people in WA, but operates as a government statutory body rather than a non-government peak body.

Direct peers

• Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic): YACVic is the direct state-level equivalent peak body for the non-government youth sector in Victoria. Highly comparable structure - membership-based, advocacy, sector convening, awards (YACVic Awards) - and operates as a near-identical model in a different Australian state, making it the most direct functional peer.
• Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC): National peak body for the youth sector in Australia. Comparable in core advocacy and convening function, but operates federally rather than at the state level. YACWA engages with AYAC and peers through similar policy and sector support work.
• CREATE Foundation: National peak body representing children and young people with out-of-home care experience. Comparable in youth advocacy and sector convening function across Australia, with similar membership, events, and policy submission work - though focused on a specific cohort.
• Youth Action (NSW): NSW's peak body for the youth sector - directly comparable in mission (advocacy, policy submissions, sector capacity building) and structure (membership-based, conferences, awards). Functions as the New South Wales mirror of YACWA's role in WA.

Regional players

• Youth Disability Advocacy Network (YDAN): WA's leading advocacy body for young people with disability and a strategic partner of YACWA. Comparable in advocacy focus, but narrower demographic remit (disability). Operates only in WA, same geographic scope.

Emerging players

• Youth Focus: WA-based organization focused on youth mental health and wellbeing; sponsor of the Sector Collaboration Award at WA Youth Awards. Comparable in advocacy and youth sector convening, but narrower thematic focus on mental health.
• The Y WA (YMCA WA): Sponsor of WA Youth Awards Collective Action Award and operator of the Youth Parliament program for 15-25 year olds. Comparable as a WA-based youth development organization with overlapping programming (leadership, recognition, convening).
• Anglicare WA: Major WA-based community services organization sponsoring the Creative Contribution Award at WA Youth Awards and co-delivering the Youth Street Health program. Comparable as a youth-facing service provider with advocacy and convening functions in WA.
• Mission Australia: One of Australia's largest community service organizations serving youth and families. Operates the Young Changemaker Award at WA Youth Awards (sponsor) and runs Youth At Risk Strategy: Home Safe with Nyoongar Outreach Services. Comparable as a youth-focused service provider with overlapping advocacy function, though broader scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/yacwa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/yacwa
• Facebookfacebook.com/yacwa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youth-affairs-council-of-western-australia-yacwa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA)