Information for teens
A teenage boy and girl sitting with a skateboard

Information for teens

In the ACT a person is considered a child if they are under 12, and a young person once they turn 12. As you become a teenager you are often more independent and make more decisions for yourself. But you are not yet considered an adult, so the issues you face and the information you need is different.

A 19-year-old decided what information should go on this page and helped us put it together. Is there something you want to know that is not here? Let us know so we can add it.

Mental health and human rights

We ran a two-year project on children’s rights and mental health services. In our project, we found that children’s rights were not always well represented and upheld by mental health services.

Here is a link to the child friendly infographic from the mental health project. It presents some of our findings and recommendations.

Education rights

The Convention on the Rights of the Child says:

You have the right to education. Primary school should be free and secondary and tertiary education should be available to all children. Discipline in school must support your rights.

It also outlines the kind of things you should learn. Education should help you

...develop your own talents and abilities. It should support your cultural identity, language and values. It should also help you live peacefully in your community and respect other people and the environment.

In the ACT the ACT Human Rights Act 2004 protects your right to education without discrimination. We also have the Education Act 2004, which outlines how schools can be run.

All children and young people have the right to an education regardless of their:A young person holding a rainbow flag behind them with both arms outstretched.

  • Race
  • Colour
  • Sex
  • Sexuality orientation
  • Language
  • Religion
  • Political or other opinion
  • National or social origin
  • Property
  • Age
  • Birth
  • Disability.

This means that everyone must be given the chance to go to school, and at school students cannot be disadvantaged because of who they are. Education has to be adaptable, so all students can learn equally.

The Education Directorate has a Disability Inclusion Strategy for Public Schools. You can read about it here.

EmploymentA waitress holding a pen, ready to take an order.

As a young person you have the right to extra protection because of your age. As a young person in the workforce in the ACT you are protected by special employment rules.

You can read more about your rights as a young worker here

If you are unsure about something or have any questions you can contact CSDCYFyoungworkers@act.gov.au.

Public Transport

There are laws to make sure that adults, services, and the government keep you safe. This includes on public transport. Transport Canberra has rules and regulations to support your right to safety while you are using their services.

Whether you are catching the bus or using the light rail, it is your right to be safe wherever you are. You can read more about being safe on public transport here.  When you use public transport you agree to a code of conduct which includes acting safely and respectfully to drivers and other passengers.

If you are worried for your safety or someone else’s safety while using public transport you can call transport Canberra on 13 17 10 or call 000 if it is life threatening

Being onlineA young man looking at this phone, with headphones on

Being online and using social media has many positives, but it is important to know how to protect yourself and stay safe during the time you spend online. The Child Safe Standards [hyperlink to CF page] require all ACT organisations that provide services to kids, teens and young people to make sure their online environments are safe. These laws cannot be applied to online spaces that are created and managed in other countries though.

Learning how to keep yourself safe online is really important. The eSafety Commissioner has a spot on their website that is dedicated to informing and supporting young people around their social media use. You can access this website here (Young People | eSafety Commissioner )

Your rights when receiving medical care

Every child and young person has the right to access health services without discrimination. There are rules about this that you can read here.

As a young person you have the right to extra protection because of your age. Children’s hospitals in Australia got together to agree what this means. They decided what is important for children receiving medical care:

  1. For decisions to be made in your best interests  .
  2. To be able to express your views and be listened to.
  3. To use and receive the best available health care.
  4. For your values, beliefs and culture to be respected.
  5. To be with and guided by your family, unless this is not in your best interest.
  6. To have information that you understand.
  7. To be part of decisions that affect you.
  8. To be protected from harm
  9. To have your privacy respected.
  10. To be able to participate in education, rest, play, creative activities and recreation even if it is hard due to your illness or disability.
  11. To have planned, coordinated health care.

If you are a young person aged 12-25 with a Medicare card in the ACT, you can receive free healthcare and support at The Junction. The Junction offers free:

  • GP’s
  • Nurses
  • Case Management
  • Youth work Support

Your right to participate

As a kid, teen or young person, you have the right to participate in decisions that impact your life. You have the right to tell people what you think, and they need to take what you say seriously, and use what you say to help them decide what should happen.

This does not mean adults will always be able to do what you want them to do. But when making decisions that impact you, adults need to talk to you, listen to you, explain things to you, and be honest with you.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child says

when adults in power make decisions, they must think about how they will affect children and then do what is best for children. Governments must make sure you are protected in your family and in places that care for you.

This is called the best interests of the child principle. The Convention also says

you have the right to have a say about decisions that affect you, and to be listened to. Your opinions should be considered when decisions are made.

Adults might make decisions that are in your best interest that you do not agree with. You have the right to understand how adults came to their decision and how your best interests were considered.

Your best interests include:

  • Physical, psychological, and emotional safety, security, and well-being
  • Your human rights
  • Your opinion and wishes.