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Youth Advisory Councils

 

Youth Advisory Councils are groups of high achievers across Australia with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences who meet regularly with senior officials to discuss the future and critical issues facing both our countries, plan engagements and undertake projects on topics of mutual interest.

The U.S. Consulate General Melbourne is now taking applications for the Melbourne Youth Advisory Council and for Youth Council Networks in Tasmania, South Australia, and the Northern Territory

Application Status:
Canberra – OPEN
Sydney – CLOSED
Brisbane – CLOSED

Melbourne –  CLOSED, will re-open August 2023
TAS, SA and NT –  CLOSED, will re-open August 2023

Apply here for Canberra

Applications for the Youth Advisory Council Canberra are now OPEN 

Applications close 11:59pm Wednesday, 12 April

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by May 2023

The U.S. Embassy in Canberra is seeking dynamic, globally minded young professionals and tertiary students to join our Youth Advisory Council. The Council is an engaged, creative and diverse group with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences who meet regularly with senior officials to discuss and advise on issues that are important to them. Council members will plan engagements with the Embassy and undertake projects on topics of mutual interest. 

The primary goals of the Council are: 

  • To advise the U.S. Embassy on next generation issues (e.g., what do you care about and why?); 
  • To offer new perspectives on outreach for the Embassy 
  • To plan and participate in Embassy events as representatives of the Council

Some example activities are: 

  • Develop and present a policy to the Ambassador and Deputy Secretary of State 
  • Represent the Council at an event and ask questions to the Deputy Special Envoy for Climate 
  • Roundtable discussions with our USAID and Political officers 
  • Be involved in social media content for our official channels 

 

Think you might be a fit for our next Council?

Please fill out the application form, including addressing the following two prompts using the form provided:  

  1. How would you partner with the U.S. Embassy to work together in addressing issues critical to Australians under 30? In 300-500 words, tell us what campaign or initiative (e.g. event, social media campaign) you would organise with the Embassy using your existing networks. 
  2. In 300-500 words, what interests you about the U.S. or the relationship between the U.S. and Australia? Consider what contemporary America means to you. Creative entries are encouraged. 

Applicants must: 

  • be between 17-28 years of age 
  • be an Australian citizen or permanent resident  
  • currently reside in the Australian Capital Territory 
  • be able to commit to serve on the Council for 12 months by attending quarterly meetings and other events 
  • attend the first meeting in June 2023 

Each member is required to organise an engagement with the Embassy. Some examples that members have done in the past: 

  • Organising for senior leadership to visit the local fire brigade where they volunteer 
  • Organizing a debate or policy pitch competition with Embassy officials as judges 
  • Moderating an event with U.S. speakers ranging from topics from Space to Climate and Race and Racism 
  • Instagram takeover at an Embassy event 

APPLY NOW

 

Applications close 11:59pm Wednesday, 12 April, 2023. 

Apply here for Sydney

Applications for the Youth Advisory Council Sydney are now CLOSED

 

What is the Sydney Youth Advisory Council?

  1. Access exclusive events with leading American businesses, agencies and NGOs so you can learn from real decision makers.
  2. Engage directly with United States diplomats and officials to see diplomacy from the inside and help shape the future of the U.S.-Australia Alliance
  3. Accelerate your career and connect with future leaders by collaborating on activities and events that engage young Australians.

Key objectives of the Sydney Youth Advisory Council in 2023

  1. Advise the Consul General and senior U.S. officials on issues relevant to young Australians
  2. Facilitate effective and sustainable engagement with wider audiences, including young Australians with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences
  3. Participate in Consulate events as representatives of the Council.

Am I eligible?

The Sydney Youth Advisory Council is open to Australian citizens and permanent residents aged 18-25 years.

What commitment is involved?

  1. Attend monthly meetings of the Youth Advisory Council
  2. Commit to serve a 12 month term, until February 2024
  3. Help organise an activity or event for council members that relates to a topic of interest between Australia and the United States.

What is the timeline?

Applications close Sunday 12 March 2023. All candidates will be notified of the outcome by Tuesday 21 March 2023. Successful applicants should be available to attend the first meeting in late March.

 

APPLY NOW

 

Applications closed 11:59pm Sunday, 12 March, 2023. 

Apply here for Brisbane

Applications for the Youth Advisory Council Brisbane are now CLOSED

 

What is the Brisbane Youth Advisory Council?

  1. Access exclusive events with leading American businesses, agencies and NGOs so you can learn from real decision makers.
  2. Engage directly with United States diplomats and officials to see diplomacy from the inside and help shape the future of the U.S.-Australia Alliance
  3. Accelerate your career and connect with future leaders by collaborating on activities and events that engage young Australians.

Key objectives of the Brisbane Youth Advisory Council in 2023

  1. Advise the Consul General and senior U.S. officials on issues relevant to young Australians
  2. Facilitate effective and sustainable engagement with wider audiences, including young Australians with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences
  3. Participate in Consulate events as representatives of the Council.

Am I eligible?

The Brisbane Youth Advisory Council is open to Australian citizens and permanent residents aged 18-25 years.

What commitment is involved?

  1. Attend quarterly meetings of the Youth Advisory Council
  2. Commit to serve a 12 month term, until March 2024
  3. Help organise an activity or event for council members that relates to a topic of interest between Australia and the United States.

What is the timeline?

Applications closed Sunday 26 March 2023. All candidates will be notified of the outcome by Friday 14 April 2023.

APPLY NOW

 

Applications closed 11:59pm Sunday, 26 March, 2023. 

Apply here for Melbourne

Applications for the Youth Advisory Council Melbourne are now closed.

 

The U.S. Consulate General Melbourne is seeking diverse, energetic, creative and engaged young professionals and students to join our Melbourne Youth Advisory Council. The Council will consist of 12 individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experience who meet regularly with the Consul General and other U.S. Government representatives to discuss and advise on issues that are important to young Australians.

The primary goals of the Council are:

  • To advise the Consul General and U.S. Mission to Australia on next generation issues
  • To offer new perspectives on youth outreach for the Consulate; and
  • To plan and participate in Consulate events as representatives of the Council

Each member is required to collaborate on an engagement with the Consulate, some examples members have done in the past include: organizing a visit to their local fire brigade where they volunteer, taking the Consul General to the Lakemba Night Markets during Ramadan, Instagram takeover at the Consulate’s 4th of July celebration.

Keen to get involved?

If you are:

  • between 18-35 years of age
  • an Australian citizen or permanent resident based in Victoria
  • able to commit to serve on the Council for 12 months, attending six meetings and other events then we encourage you to consider applying to the 2022-23 Melbourne Youth Advisory Council.

Applications closed Friday 23 September 2022.

To apply please fill out the application form addressing the two prompts. The first prompt requires a written response, and the second can be addressed more creatively if you choose.

1. How can the U.S. Consulate better engage younger audiences in Australia? In 300-500 words, tell us what campaign or initiative (e.g. event, social media campaign) you would organize with the Consulate using your existing networks

2. What does contemporary America mean to you?

Apply here for TAS, SA and NT

Applications are now closed.

 

The U.S. Consulate General Melbourne is seeking diverse, energetic, creative and engaged young professionals and students from across the Consular district to join our Youth Council Network.

If you are based in South Australia, Tasmania or the Northern Territory and would like to engage with the U.S. Consulate Melbourne to help build our youth network we encourage you to apply. We will actively support young people in states other than Victoria and host virtual and potential in-person meetings across the year in addition to offering outreach and engagement opportunities with the Consulate and Embassy where possible.

The primary goals of the Youth Council Network are:

  • To advise the Consul General and U.S. Mission to Australia on next generation issues
  • To offer new perspectives on youth outreach for the Consulate; and
  • To plan and participate in Consulate events as representatives of the network

Youth Council Network members will be required to collaborate on an engagement with the Consulate, some examples members have done in the past include: organizing a visit to their local fire brigade where they volunteer, taking the Consul General to the Lakemba Night Markets during Ramadan, Instagram takeover at the Consulate’s 4th of July celebration.

Keen to get involved?

If you are:

  • between 18-35 years of age
  • an Australian citizen or permanent resident based in Tasmania, South Australia, or the Northern Territory
  • able to commit to engaging with the U.S. Consulate General Melbourne on a regular basis across 12 months then we encourage you to apply.

Applications closed Friday 23 September 2022.

To apply please fill out the application form addressing the two prompts. The first prompt requires a written response, and the second can be addressed more creatively if you choose.

1. How can the U.S. Consulate better engage younger audiences in Australia? In 300-500 words, tell us what campaign or initiative (e.g. event, social media campaign) you would organize with the Consulate using your existing networks

2. What does contemporary America mean to you?