Mr Marshall, who was a past member of the Council, said applications were being taken now to fill the 12 positions to provide a direct link between young people and the NSW Government.

"The Youth Advisory Council has been established and contributing to decisions affecting youth in NSW since 1999," Mr Marshall said.

"There have been members of the Council from the Northern Tablelands in the past, such as Declan Drake from Inverell, and I would be pleased to see young people from the region step forward and nominate.

"The Council fills an important role for the NSW Government and meets regularly to discuss issues of importance to youth before reporting directly to the Minister for Multiculturalism."

Mr Marshall said past Council's had played a significant role in changing laws in NSW that affect young people.

"The former Youth Advisory Council helped learner drivers in NSW to cut their compulsory supervised driving hours by one-third, to 80 hours, if they enroll in a Safer Drivers Course and conduct 10 hours of professional driver training," he said.

"This is just one example of where young people have had a huge impact on the government.

"This is a terrific opportunity to be involved in the decision-making process at the grass roots level and I encourage young people to consider getting involved."

Applications for the NSW Youth Advisory Council close on Sunday, March 1. For more information and to apply, visit www.acyp.nsw.gov.au