The South Australian Student Representative Council (SA SRC) brings together students in Years 10, 11 and 12 from across the State.
The Council provides students with a model of representation that gives them a voice in policy and decision making which is led by the young people themselves.
In a partnership between the Commissioner and the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA), with support from the National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition (NIYEC), SA SRC brings together passionate young people to harness their energy and ideas for a better future.
About 150 students each year are equipped with the trust, resources, and skills they need to enact the change they want to see. They are provided with opportunities to meet with decision makers and to build campaigns.
The Commissioner for Children and Young People established this group in 2022, and a new cohort have taken part this year.
In 2023, the SA SRC were involved in a number of training events and workshops, met with several Members of Parliament and with other decision makers.
Students on the 2023 SA SRC:
- launched the Free Fares for our Future campaign;
- launched the Fitness for Free campaign;
- established a school-based recycling education program;
- petitioned for a new zebra crossing to improve road safety for students;
- worked with their school community to protect threatened native species;
- conducted school surveys on body image, stress management and more; and
- featured in radio broadcast interviews and newspaper articles about SA SRC issues and campaigns.
In 2024, members of the next SA SRC will help shape their local communities in relation to the following key issues:
- providing more affordable public transport;
- improving mental health services and attitudes;
- creating sustainable school canteens;
- improving approaches to diversity in schools; and
- lowering the local government voting age.
Students will also have a chance to identify issues which they feel passionate about and want to see change made.
Young people living in rural and regional locations are strongly encouraged to apply. They will be supported to attend the SA SRC Summit held in Adelaide in March, and will be able to participate online for the remainder of the year.
Applications for the SA SRC 2024 are open until 11.59pm on Sunday 11 February 2024.
