We are an organization that represents its members, the youth work professionals accross Victoria. We identify what it means to become and be a Youth Worker in Victoria and advocates for that standard through government and the industry through already established practices and documents on a federal level.

Some would contend that he Youth Work profession in Victoria was started by churches such as the Salvation Army. Others would accredit formal professional youth work to people such as Elery Hamilton Smith, Pst Bernnie Duff, Albert Van Morse, Ian Boag, Brig Doreen Giffith and Christine Vicent. 

The Youth Workers Association of Victoria (YWAV) established in 2026 given the establishing of other Youth Worker membership bodies in a number of other states  across Australia. The creation of a state  based association in Victoria will nulfya perception than one state may have undue national influence.

  YWAV rncognizes Youth Workers Australia (YWA) as the national membership body across Australia representing Youth Workers. Th YWAV has no desire to fill any of the national initiatives already fulfilled or re-invent the (Youth Worker) wheel. 

The YWAV supports in full the YWA developed “National Statement” and the National “Code of Ethical Practice”. It further supports the YWA membership accreditation and course accreditation processes. It supports the work the YWA undertakes on a national level and with the various federal goverment departments.

  The YWAV supports all forms of diversity and cultre inclding sexual orientation race culture and all forms of diversity including the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders.