About Us
Our History
A legacy of student voice
The Australian Council for Student Voice (ACSV) stands on the shoulders of generations of students, educators, and advocates who have worked tirelessly to embed student voice, agency, and participation in education. The journey toward meaningful student involvement in decision-making has been decades in the making, shaped by grassroots activism, government initiatives, and collaborative efforts between students, teachers, and supporters.
Early Foundations: The Beginnings of a Movement
The 1970s saw the emergence of ideas about student participation in education, with pioneering schools like Swinburne Community School and Lynall Hall Community School trialing ways to increase student involvement in decision-making. This was part of a broader global movement, with school strikes in the UK and Australia highlighting the demand for student representation. The Victorian Secondary Students Union (VSSU), formed in the early 1970s, was among the first attempts at a student-led organisation in Australia.
The momentum continued into the 1980s, with the Victorian Ministry of Education recognising the importance of student participation through a series of policy papers that acknowledged student rights and empowerment. In 1984, this led to a mandate requiring all Victorian government school councils to include a student representative. Nationally, the Australian Network of Secondary Students (ANSS) was formed to provide a collective student voice, though challenges in maintaining representative networks saw it eventually dissolve.
Expanding the Movement: National and State-Based Conferences
Throughout the 1990s, student voice became a more widely recognised term, and local, state, and national student conferences became a key avenue for advocacy. The National Student Participation Conferences (NASPACs) were held in Melbourne (1995), Sydney (1997), and Hobart (1999), bringing together students to discuss education issues and build representative organisations. State governments also played a role, with the New South Wales Department of Education sponsoring student conferences and developing a Charter for Student Representative Councils (SRCs) in 2006.
In Victoria, the student voice movement gained further momentum. The Paving the Way Conference in 2001 brought together 300 students who voted to establish the Victorian Secondary Students Network (VSSN). This led to the creation of VicSRC in 2003, an independent, student-led peak body advocating for students at the highest levels of education decision-making.
Towards a National Student Voice Body
While VicSRC established a strong foundation for student voice in Victoria, the need for a national platform remained. Over the years, students, educators, and researchers across Australia continued working to strengthen student representation and ensure that student voice was embedded in education systems. This growing momentum led to the establishment of the Australian Council for Student Voice (ACSV), which now serves as the national peak body advocating for student agency, participation, and leadership.
ACSV connects students, educators, policymakers, and researchers to advance student voice in schools, education policy, and broader civic engagement. Our work builds on the legacy of past student movements, ensuring that student voice is not just heard but meaningfully acted upon.
Today, student voice is recognised as a fundamental part of an inclusive and democratic education system. The ACSV continues to push for systemic change, ensuring that students are empowered to shape their education and contribute to their communities.
