At-risk young people can be referred to Youth Pathways in a number of ways. Parents, carers or concerned others can refer young people to Youth Pathways, or if the person is still at school they may be referred by their teacher, career adviser, principal or school counsellor. Young people can also refer themselves if they feel they are having trouble coping.

The referral process is strengthened by the partnerships Youth Pathways providers have with secondary schools in their service regions and the information provided to teachers and career advisers. Teachers or career advisers can contact the local Youth Pathways provider, who will arrange an appointment to confirm whether the young person is eligible for assistance.

Centrelink clients who are on income support and refer themselves to Youth Pathways (or have been referred by the Job Network) need to get in touch with Centrelink before they can be accepted into the program.

The best way to find out if Youth Pathways is the right choice for students is to talk to the provider in your area.

Centrelink may refer young people to Youth Pathways if they have left school in the preceding 12 months and if they indicate a desire to return to education. A Centrelink customer service officer will contact the local Youth Pathways provider to arrange an appointment for the young person. If the young person is eligible, the provider will advise Centrelink.

Youth Pathways is one of the approved activities that can be included in Preparing for Work Activity Agreements. A young person receiving Youth Allowance is not obliged to undertake job-search activities while participating in Youth Pathways.

Youth Pathways is included in the suite of options that allows young people to satisfy the requirements of Mutual Obligation. It is not mandatory to undertake job-search activity, but this could be included if it is relevant and appropriate.

Youth Pathways participants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents aged 13 to 19 and either: