Round 1 of What matters most is now open
Are you under 25 and living in Victoria? We want to hear from you!
Round 1 of What matters most is now open. This is your chance to share what matters to you, in any way you like.
Find out more if you're a parent, carer, teacher or an adult who works with young people under the age of 25.
What you share will help us understand what’s important to children and young people across Victoria.
You’ll even go in the running to win some amazing prizes!
If you give us permission, your story could be shared in places like our social media channels or on our website. This will help us to raise awareness to people in power about the issues that matter to you.
Hear from a primary school student about why this is important to them
Hear from a high school student about why this is important to them
The details
- Round 1 submissions are open now until 27 June 2025.
- Anyone under 25 and living in Victoria can take part.
- Submissions can be in any format you like. Draw it, record it, create it – it’s up to you!
- Share anything that’s important to you. You can use our prompts to get started.
- All entries will go in the draw to win amazing prizes.
- We’ll use what you share with us to help create change for children and young people in Victoria.
Download our poster or information sheets for adults and children and young people to spread the word about What matters most.
What to submit
We want you to tell us about the positive things in your life and what you would like to change.
You can focus on any topic you like, for example:
- School
- Family or home life
- Hobbies
- Culture
- Religious beliefs
We have also created a few prompts to help get the creativity flowing:
- What would you like to see changed to make things better for children and young people?
- What do you care about?
- Celebrating your difference - what makes you, you?
Why should you take part?
Every story matters. By sharing yours, you’ll help us understand what young people across Victoria care about and want to see changed. Who knows what impact your story could have.
Plus, every entry goes into a raffle for a chance to win awesome prizes like:
- gift cards for some of your favorite stores
- tickets to sporting events including AFL and A-League games
- tickets to fun activities, including zoo passes for you and your friends
- a day working with the Commissioner
Get started to go in the running to win one of these prizes.
How to share your story
You can share your story however you like:
- Write it down
- Draw a picture
- Record a video or audio
- Create music or something else unique.
You’ll only need to give your first name, age, and email. We won’t share this information unless you give us permission to share it. You will also be asked if you are happy for the Commission to use and share your story (such as on our website or social media posts) or if you would rather not.
You can also send your creation and completed consent form in via email to:
OR by post:
Attention: Jason Mannes
Commission for Children and Young People
18/570 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Vic, 3000
Consent forms
- Individual consent form (docx 1MB)
- Group consent form (docx 1MB)
What will we do with your submissions?
Our job is to try to make sure all children and young people in Victoria are kept safe and well. To do this properly, we want to hear directly from you. We use this information to advocate for changes to services and laws that affect children and young people. Read more about what we do to support the rights of children and young people.
The Commission team will look at your entry, along with others from children and young people across Victoria. If you opt in, your story could be shared on our social media or website and in other ways, to inspire others, and raise awareness to government to create changes needed.
Find out more about how we will use your creations in our consent information.
Why have we created What matters most?
Do you ever feel like people don't listen to you simply because you're young? Well, we are about to change that. At the Commission for Children and Young People, we value your stories, ideas and experiences.
Our Youth Council is a group of young people aged 15–24 working to create a space where children and young people (that’s you!) can share your thoughts, ideas, and stories about what’s important to you. The Youth Council have created this project to make sure children and young people in Victoria have a chance to have a say in the issues we focus on.
This is your chance to tell us what’s happening in your life, what needs to change to make things better, and what makes you, you!
Have more questions?
If you have any other questions, please contact us via:
- email engage@ccyp.vic.gov.au
- phone 1300 782 978