This article expands on a piece in the inaugural "Sociology of Youth Newsletter," edited by Steven Threadgold (Wyn 2010). The present article provides an opportunity to engage in a more critical exploration of the issues that youth sociology in Australia contributes to the wider field of sociology and to reflect on challenges that it faces in the future, focusing on the nexus between the sociology of youth and youth policy. Working within the nexus of sociology and youth policy, sociology offers a critical and constructive perspective on policies that aim to address disadvantage and inequalities, thereby contributing to public debate. However, being policy relevant also presents considerable challenges. Assuming that the future of the sociology of youth lies at least in part in its engagement with youth policy and practice, this article explores one dimension of these challenges.