The National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition took a key step recently in leading the development of a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Congress.

The aim of the Congress will be to "connect the voices and agency" of more than 100,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students, forming the largest student-led high school network in the country.

Supported by the Foundation for Young Australians and the Australian Government Office for Youth, NIYEC is developing and piloting the student congress through a co-design process with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, high school students, and contributing partners.

So far, more than 120 students and young people have contributed to shaping the Congress, helping to ensure it truly reflects their perspectives, priorities and aspirations.

As part of the development process, a small delegation of young people was supported to engage with senior federal government officials and politicians to share their vision for the student congress in Canberra.

During their recent visit, the delegation engaged in discussions with Federal Member for Bonner Kara Cook, Minister Jess Walsh, a representative from the office of Minister Malarndirri McCarthy, and Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba Senator Jana Stewart.

They also connected with key agencies, including the National Indigenous Australians Agency, Department of Education and Office for Youth.

NIYEC chief executive and Co-Founder, proud Darumbal South-Sea Islander woman Hayley McQuire, said the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Congress "creates a new opportunity for young mob across the continent to connect and have a real say about their education at a national level".

"What makes this congress unique is that we have co-designed this model with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and high school students and have grounded this approach on Indigenous nation-building and collective action," she said.

"Ultimately, the Student Congress aims to demonstrate that we are continuing to build on the legacy of those who've come before us in championing our rights to education, including the many generations of students have advocated for Indigenous education.

"For too long, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have been left out of the decisions that impact their educational journeys. By listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student's and backing their collective agency we can make our education systems fairer and better."

Pitjantjatjara and Warlpiri Year 11 student Jessica Woods said it was her first time in the national capital.

She said she and Minister Walsh "had a good yarn and talked a bit about my family, my mob, and my language".

"I had a good experience and would love to do it again for the young mob – talk more about their education and (make) our Congress stronger… so our future generations can have good education," she said.

"We can be proud leaders in our community."

Wiradjuri, Bunurong/Boon Wurrung person Brittney Henderson, who completed a Bachelor of Arts in politics and gender studies and is now undertaking a Master of Social Policy, and is running in next year's Victorian election, said: "The most important thing for me was redefining the power dynamics within Parliament House and what that means to bring a group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into a historically damaging place."

"I hope that sets the scene for how we engage with young mob in the future," they said.