Stories and thoughts
OUR IMPACT IN ACTION
See our work and the impact we’ve generated with disadvantaged young people across the health, employment, education and First Nations sectors.
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Building Co-Design Capability at VicHealth
We collaborated with VicHealth to equip staff with the skills and confidence to meaningfully co-design public health solutions with disadvantaged young people.
Creating safer, more respectful workplaces for young people
We collaborated with Our Watch to put disadvantaged young people at the centre of designing safer and more inclusive workplaces.
From Strategy to Shared Power: A Youth-Led Forum at Parliament House
We co-designed the Victorian Youth Strategy Forum, a youth-led event at Parliament House delivered in partnership with the Office for Youth.
Good News Melton: Local, Youth-led Storytelling
We created Good News Melton - a youth-led, digital storytelling platform that places disadvantaged young people at the heart of the City of Melton’s storytelling, challenge negative stereotypes and elevate authentic, community voices.
Deadly Democracy – 2025 Good Design Award of the Year
The Australian Good Design Award of the Year is historically awarded to only one exemplary project across all design disciplines and categories.
It represents the very peak of design excellence, innovation and impact.
In 2025, the jury found two projects deserving of this top accolade – Deadly Democracy and Hullbot.
From Reflection to Action
As a proud Ngiyampaa woman originally from beautiful Wiradjuri country, I hold deep respect for the strength, resilience, and leadership of First Nations peoples across this country. In my role at YLab, I’m privileged to work alongside young First Nations leaders who are shaping transformative change in their communities.
Co-designing A plan for Victoria
We partnered with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to meaningfully embed disadvantaged young people’s insights and ideas into the department’s Plan for Victoria.
State Library of Victoria
We worked with State Library Victoria (SLV) to deeply embed co-design, persona mapping and community engagement skills within their libraries to create more inclusive spaces for the diverse communities they serve.
Benefits of Structured Coaching for disadvantaged Young People in the Workplace
Coaching isn’t just about setting young people up for professional success, it’s key to them becoming effective players in driving systems change.
Announcing YLab’s First Board
We’ve recruited our first Board and we can’t wait for you to meet them!
Deadly Democracy
YLab's Deadly Democracy initiative empowered First Nations young leaders from across Australia with the skills and knowledge to engage in the democratic process.
Data for Good Hackathon
YLab designed, developed and facilitated a student hackathon developed to promote better integration and enhance student skills and interest in STEM.
The Future Online Partnership
YLab connected 30+ young people from Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia. Resulting in impactful recommendations and advocacy beyond borders.
COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkit
YLab combated low COVID-19 vaccination rates in young CALD and disabled communities through the COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkit.
Orygen Mental Health Access
YLab and Orygen addressed youth mental health access in Melbourne's North West via a 12-month co-design project, yielding impactful prototypes to enhance agency, diversity, and peer support.
Amplifying Student Voice with Learning Creates
YLab partnered with Learning Creates and PwC to empower young people to shape their own learning experiences by gathering data and testing prototypes in schools across Australia.
Festival of Learning
YLab partnered with the Victorian Government to develop the Festival of Learning, empowering young voices to shape Victoria's priorities for youth employment and mental health, resulting in valuable recommendations and skill-building.
The Oasis Youth Homlessness Project
YLab partnered with Shark Island Productions to tackle youth homelessness and unemployment by co-designing and delivering school initiatives and creating valuable resources.
Project Brimpact
YLab and Brimbank City Council partnered to combat youth unemployment, creating the Youth Employment Taskforce, yielding 24 job outcomes and eight business prototypes for improved recruitment, training, and retention.
Co-Designing Senior Secondary Pathways
YLab partnered with the Victorian Government’s Department of Education, Skills and Employment and 50 young people to co-design solutions to showcase students' abilities beyond ATARs, addressing pathway decisions and bridging education-to-employment gaps.