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Victorian Government Website (Victoria the Place to Be)
Department of Human Services, State Government of Victoria, Australia
Subsite title

Futures for Young Adults (FFYA)

Information on this page:

How Futures for Young Adults supports people

Futures for Young Adults provides support to students with a disability to make the transition to post-school options. It is available to eligible students from when they complete their schooling until they turn 21.

For a successful move from school to further education, training or employment, students will explore a range of post school pathways. While at school, students will receive guidance from careers teachers who are able to provide information and support about a range of post school options which may include employment, pre vocational training, further education or community participation.

Futures for Young Adults supports eligible young people with a disability who require additional support to plan ahead, set goals and make informed decisions about their future. Futures for Young Adults builds on the planning that has commenced at school. Futures for Young Adults transition planners are available to assist school personnel, students and families to explore a range of post school options.

What types of support can be provided

Young people who are eligible for Futures for Young Adults may be provided with:

  • assistance from a transition planner to explore a range of post school options
  • information about generic, community and specialist supports
  • information and support to access disability supports.

The types of choices that young people moving from school may like to try include:

  • Looking for work
  • Work experience or volunteering to explore a range of employment options
  • Further education or prevocational training to develop skills and improve the chances of getting a job and community participation
  • Trying a range of the above options.

The Post School Pathways for Students with a Disability 2008 provides information about a range of post school pathways, the types supports available and the Futures for Young Adults program.

Who can get assistance

To be eligible for Futures for Young Adults support, a person must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • be a permanent resident of Victoria, aged 18 years of age before the 31 December in the last year of school
  • have been assessed as eligible to receive and be currently receiving support at school through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Program for Students with Disabilities or equivalent in the Catholic or Independent sector.

Safety Net

The Futures for Young Adults Safety Net provisions allow young people to independently try different options immediately after leaving school and still have the flexibility to seek advice and support from Futures for Young Adults until 21 years of age.

The types of options that may be explored include:

  • Trying some employment either independently or through local employment programs
  • Getting involved in some community based activities or training
  • Undertaking further study independently at TAFE or university. 

In some cases, young people leaving school at the end of 2008 may try these options and decide after some time that they do not meet their needs. In these situations the young person or their family can contact their local DHS regional office on 1800 783 783 and register for Futures for Young Adults support through the Safety Net provision. The Futures for Young Adults Registration form can be used by young people who require support through the Safety Net.

How to get assistance

To register for assistance a Futures for Young Adults Registration form must be completed and submitted to DHS. Registration forms can be downloaded from this site. Hard copies of the registration forms and further  information regarding the Futures for Young Adults program can be obtained by contacting DHS, Intake and Response Service on 1800 783 783

Information sheets

For new participants

For existing participants

Guidelines and related information

Additional information regarding the Futures for Young Adults program can be downloaded.

Futures for Young Adults New Directions Guidelines

Futures for Young Adults Existing Participants Years 1-8 Guidelines

Futures for Young Adults Ministerial Advisory Group Recommendations

FFYA Bulletins

Download help

If you need alternative formats or you are having trouble downloading attachments, Download help may assist. If you are still having problems, contact Disability Services by emailing disability.services@dhs.vic.gov.au.