FAQ
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Frequently Asked Questions
As with any large scale event, there will be a number of questions that groups and individuals may have beforehand. We have endeavoured to answer some of the most common questions we have been receiving below. If you have a question not included, please feel free to contact us.
ticketing and registrations
I am younger than Year 9 or 15 years old, can I still attend the Festival?
Content, speakers, workshops and the overall experience have been specifically designed for pilgrims aged Year 9 – 25 years.
As such, pilgrims younger than Year 9 will not able to attend the Festival.
Please note, any pilgrims aged 14 years old may attend the Festival only if they are in Year 9 and attend with a school group.
I am older than 25, can I still attend the Festival?
Those aged over 25 may attend the Festival as a registered group leader, volunteer or exhibitor. However, as a leader, you will be responsible for the care and supervision of your registered group, with volunteers and exhibitors also having responsibilities related to their roles.
Can I purchase a ticket on the day of or during the event?
No, tickets must be purchased prior to the event and before the registration period closes.
When do registrations close?
Registrations will close on 30 October 2025, or earlier if capacity is met. We recommend registering as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Is there a refund and cancellation Policy?
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions – Section 7 (found on page 6 of the document).
Where can Melbourne School groups find relevant contact information?
Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS): If you are planning to attend ACYF with a MACS school, we recommend getting in contact with your school ACYF coordinator. Alternatively, for any MACS specific queries, email: acyf@macs.vic.edu.au.
Non-MACS Catholic Schools (RIM/PJP schools): Please contact your respective education system to seek further information and guidance on supports for attending the Festival.
For general Festival event questions, please feel free to contact the Festival Team at: acyf@cam.org.au.
Meals and dietary requirements
Can I bring my own food and drink to the Festival?
Yes, pilgrims are absolutely free to bring their own lunch, snacks and drinks to the Festival!
Are meals provided as part of my ticket?
Meals are not included as part of the purchase of a Festival ticket however, meal vouchers will be available for additional purchase during the registration process – for regional and interstate pilgrims only.
All other pilgrims will have the option of bringing their own food, purchasing food onsite or dining at food courts and/or restaurants located in close proximity to the Festival venue.
What are meal vouchers?
Meal vouchers will be provided an option for pilgrims from regional Victoria or interstate during the registration process.
Meal vouchers are: $20 per meal per person. These vouchers can be exchanged at a range of Festival food vendors (but not all) for a variety of meals, incorporating many dietary requirements.
Are there any nut free, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and other specific dietary food options available?
There will be some food vendors available who cater for specific dietary requirements.
All pilgrims are welcome to bring their own food and drink onsite. Pilgrims with complex or multiple dietary requirements may prefer to self-cater.
Is water available onsite?
Yes, free refillable water stations will be available during the Festival, so don’t forget to bring your water bottle! In addition, water will be available for purchase via food and beverage vendors.
resources for my group
Are there any recommendations on engaging with young people my own local area?
Yes, we have prepared a Roadmap to ACYF that provides important milestone and ways you can engage with young pilgrims in the lead up to the Festival.
Are there fundraising tips available?
Yes, this Fundraising Guide for Young People provides some easy and helpful ways pilgrims can fundraise for the Festival.
How can I prepare my group for ACYF - both practically and spiritually?
Formation resources will be available from September to assist group leaders in preparing their groups both practically and spiritually for the Festival.
Is promotional material available to spread the word?
Yes, our Resources page has a variety of different promotional material available for use – including a promo video, posters, flyers and newsletter inserts.
Where can I find the ACYF logo to add to my own group's promo material?
The Festival logo is available via our Resources page. It can be used to aid promotion of the Festival but is not to be used for any commercial purpose, including for merchandise sold for profit. The following brand guidelines have been developed to assist with the design of Festival promo materials. Please ensure adherence to the guidelines when using the Festival logo in any form.
Engaging with the Festival as an Exhibitor, Speaker, Musician or Workshop Presenter
Can I attend the Festival as a speaker, workshop presenter or musician?
We are excited to welcome thousands of young people to to the Festival and for them to experience the beauty and breadth of our Catholic faith. Most of the three-day program has already been scheduled, with an exciting array of speakers and musicians on offer.
How do I sign up as a Festival exhibitor?
We have filled many of our exhibitor spaces, however, for individuals and organisations still interested in being part of the Festival’s Expo and Justice Centre, please visit our Expo page. Our extended EOI period closes on 19 September, 2025.
As a Festival Exhibitor, do I get full access to the entire Festival program?
Please note that an exhibitor registration is not equivalent to a general participant registration, and as such, access to the broader program and venues of the Festival are not included.
I need a larger space for my exhibition. Can I purchase additional expo spaces?
Subject to negotiation, larger stalls and interactive spaces are available, with organisations encouraged to share their ideas via the Expo expression of interest form, available on our Expo page.
How many staff can I have onsite at my expo stall?
Booth registration will include four passes for stallholders and representatives of an organisation. If required, a request for additional exhibitor representatives can be made to the event organisers.
Risk Assessments for Schools, Parishes and Communities
Where can I get a Risk Assessment information for my school, parish or community group?
Risk management for the Festival is active, ongoing and embedded in every aspect of our planning and decision-making. While we are unable to share the full risk register — which captures the granular level risks managed across the event — we are preparing a publicly accessible Risk Management Overview to assist groups in the development of their own risk register (which will be unique and specific to their travel mode, number of pilgrims, needs of pilgrims etc.). This document will outline our overarching approach to managing key risk areas such as:
- Occupational health and safety
- Crowd management and traffic controls
- Pilgrimage Walk logistics
- Safeguarding and access
- Emergency and critical incident preparedness.
The Risk Management Overview will be provided, on request, to registered group leaders/coordinators to assist in the planning and preparation for their young people to attend the Festival.
Who else is helping manage risk?
The Festival is a large-scale public event delivered in close collaboration with the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre as the venue operator. We are also working closely with key external partners including the City of Melbourne, Victoria Police, Public Transport Victoria, and the Victorian Government to ensure the event is safe and well-coordinated for all participants.
What role do groups play in managing risk?
Risk management is a shared responsibility. It involves not only the event organisers and venue, but also schools, parishes, ministries, and other participating groups, who are responsible for the young people they bring as pilgrims.
We stress the importance for all pilgrimage groups of appropriate adult-to-young person supervision ratios. Also identifying and communicating clear behaviour expectations, proactive supervision, and preparedness to respond to medical or other incidents.
Volunteering at the festival
Can I volunteer at the Festival?
Yes, we welcome volunteers at the Festival. Volunteering is a great way to support the Festival, young people and the broader Church. Our volunteer workforce expression of interest process is now open and accepting applications here.
