Youth Transition Support Services (YTS)
Starting a new life in a new country is a challenge. Young refugees and migrants often need extra help and support to become and stay connected in their new community.
Youth Transition Support (YTS) services help young humanitarian entrants and eligible migrants aged 15 to 25 to take part in work and education, strengthen vocational skills and build social connections and confidence through sporting programs.
YTS services:
improve workplace readiness
create strong education connections to support ongoing engagement
give access to vocational opportunities
create strong social connections through education and sports engagement.
Service providers deliver different projects and activities for participants. This includes connections with local employment services and jobs, and vocational or other further education opportunities.
YTS services are primarily available to the below specified Local Government Areas (LGA’s) where residents who have been identified with participation and social cohesion issues:
New South Wales – Auburn, Bankstown, Blacktown, Canterbury, Fairfield, Liverpool.
Queensland – Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Toowoomba
Victoria – Brimbank, Casey, Darebin, Greater Dandenong, Greater Bendigo, Hume, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Melbourne, Melton, Whitehorse, Wyndham.
The Department of Home Affairs is funding YTS services until 30 June 2027.
Services
YTS services comprise four components (‘pillars’) delivered holistically:
Partnerships for Employment to improve work readiness.
Strong Connections to Education to support ongoing engagement with education.
Vocational Opportunities to help youth obtain and strengthen vocational skills.
Sports Engagement to help youth build social connections and confidence through sporting programs.
Examples of services may include (but not limited to):
Relevant training to develop workplace awareness and work readiness (such as resume writing and interview skills), and familiarity with the Australian workforce, employment systems and culture.
Work placement and mentoring opportunities, linking to Government services including Workforce Australia providers.
Pathways to vocational training and facilitating the recognition of existing vocational skills.
Outside-school programs, careers guidance and activities to assist with continuing engagement and participation in education.
Inclusive sporting programs, aimed at developing teamwork, leadership and English language skills, and building social connections.