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Young people in Brisbane

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Check out our youth initiatives, facilities, events and activities for young people who live, work, play and study in Brisbane.

Council offers free or low-cost rehearsal and meeting spaces, as well as events curated for young people.

We also provide other facilities and activities designed for a younger audience to engage, empower and celebrate young people.

Visible Ink

From 6 December 2026, Visible Ink will transition to Young BNE, a new city-wide youth program designed to give young people more opportunities to connect, participate and thrive closer to home across Brisbane.

As part of this transition, the Visible Ink site in Fortitude Valley will close on 5 December 2026.

Through Young BNE, young people will have access to a range of free activities, music programs, events and opportunities across Brisbane, including increased access to rehearsal spaces, meeting rooms and community venues.

What happens before 6 December?

Visible Ink will remain open for casual use without an appointment at the following times:

  • Wednesday to Friday: 2pm-8pm
  • Saturday: 12pm-5pm

Meeting rooms and rehearsal spaces can continue to be booked and accessed 7 days a week during this period by sending an email.

What happens from 6 December?

Open Doors Youth Service will be expanding their footprint in the facility. The existing dance and theatre rehearsal space will continue to be available for young people to book free of charge outside of Open Doors Youth Service operating hours.

We are increasing opportunities for young people through Young BNE, with programs and services delivered at community venues, libraries and rehearsal spaces across Brisbane. This will make it easier for more young people to participate closer to home.

More information on youth services, visit the Youth Advocacy Centre website.

Young BNE

Council’s Visible Ink program is transforming into a city-wide, suburb-based program called Young BNE. This will give more young people more opportunities, in more locations.

From 6 December 2026, Young BNE will support young people to access the following services.

  • Free dance and theatre rehearsal spaces at 7 locations across Brisbane. This includes community halls that have been upgraded with sound systems and mirrors.
  • Easier access through online bookings to more than 35 meeting rooms across Brisbane, including 7 that are available 24/7.
  • Greater access to music programs, with free music production workshops north and south of the river and ongoing weekly jam sessions in the city.
  • Hundreds of more events and activities at local libraries and community venues, giving young people more to do closer to home..
  • More opportunities to join advisory groups. Such as the Lord Mayor's Youth Environmental Leadership Network and local advisory groups closer to home.
  • More access to city-wide staff to support young people's ideas, connect to opportunities and local services.

Help shape Young BNE

Are you a young person wanting to organise an event? Or a youth organisation interested in partnering with us to set up local drop-in programs or expand existing activities? If so, we want to hear from you.

You can have your say to help inform Young BNE until 11.59pm, Sunday 22 November 2026.

Complete the online survey to be in for a chance to win one of three $100 JB Hi-fi gift cards.

Have your say

Grants, funding and entrepreneurship

Future Founders Bursaries

Access Council-funded opportunities to build business skills, explore new ideas and discover where business and innovation can take you.

Applications are now open for our 2027 bursaries.

Learn more about the programs
Young people collaborating around a round table at an event.

Youth Climate Action Fund

Council has partnered with Bloomberg Philanthropies to deliver the Youth Climate Action Fund. Supporting youth-led projects that address the city’s climate priorities.

Learn more about the fund
Young woman seated at a desk working on a laptop.

Youth leadership programs

Lord Mayor's Youth Advisory Council (LMYAC)

Year 10 students elected by Brisbane high schools can participate in the Lord Mayor's Youth Advisory Council.  

The council meets with the Lord Mayor 4 times a year to share ideas on issues that affect young people.

Learn more about LMYAC

Lord Mayor's Young Environment Leadership Network (LMYELN)

Local school students can develop skills in project management, communication and leadership through the Lord Mayor's Young Environment Leadership Network.

LMYELN empowers students to create positive environmental change and supports schools to be cleaner and greener.

Learn more about LMYELN

Brisbane Youth Week

Held in April each year, Youth Week is a celebration and performance showcase for young people 12-25 years of age.

It provides opportunities for young people to share ideas, attend events, showcase talents and celebrate their contribution to the community.

For more information about Brisbane Youth Week:

Creative opportunities

The QUBE Effect

The QUBE Effect gives 12 musical acts the chance to take part in our annual music development program.

Participants in The QUBE Effect receive mentorship from industry experts and live performance opportunities. They also film their own music videos and compete for a range of prizes.

Learn more about the program

Lord Mayor's Photographic Awards

The Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards is an annual competition open to anyone who lives, works or studies in Brisbane. One of the prize categories is specifically for students.

Learn more about the competition

Youth volunteers

Volunteer to share your knowledge, learn new skills and meet new people from diverse backgrounds. 

You can volunteer at:

To find out more, email Council.   

Youth Register

Are you aged 12-25 or working in Brisbane's youth sector? Subscribe to our Youth Register to receive information about youth development opportunities, workshops, events, and news.

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