Foundation for Young Australians Youth Media Centre
The Youth Media Centre from the Foundation for Young Australians is a free, accessible advocacy support initiative that empowers young people to use mainstream media as a tool for change. It is designed for young Australians aged 15–25 who have lived experience of injustice and want to elevate their perspectives, insights and campaigns in public discourse. Participants work collaboratively with in-house media practitioners and industry professionals to develop, pitch and publish media content that responds to current affairs, influences decision-makers and supports social justice outcomes.
The Centre offers tailored opportunities including one-on-one coaching, group training sessions, and practical media engagement experiences such as writing op-eds, preparing for panel discussions, and pitching story ideas to news outlets. Training is flexible and responsive: one-to-one coaching is scheduled as needed, and group workshops are designed around participants’ goals to ensure relevance and impact. There is no fixed cohort timetable, and applications are always open; participants can initiate engagement at any point and work with the Youth Media Centre Lead to co-design a program that matches their advocacy needs.
Beyond skill-building, the Centre aims to break down structural barriers that typically exclude young voices from media coverage. It supports participants to stay attuned to the news cycle, work alongside journalists and industry experts, and frame media interactions strategically to elevate youth-led narratives. The Centre also encourages participation from marginalised communities, including First Nations people, people with disability, refugees and asylum seekers, people of colour and unwaged changemakers, to ensure diverse perspectives are represented in public debate.
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Contact for clarification or to initiate participation
• Interested young people are required to contact FYA’s Youth Media Centre Lead directly at youthmedia@fya.org.au. -
Age requirements
• Open to young people aged 15–25 years.Location or citizenship
• Open to young people in Australia.
• No citizenship or visa requirements specified.Field or background
• No formal qualifications, discipline, or professional background required.
• Designed for young people with lived experience of social issues who want to engage with media and public advocacy.Other conditions
• Interest in using media to influence public conversation or decision-making.
• Willingness to work with media practitioners and journalists.
• Participation is initiated by contacting the Youth Media Centre Lead at youthmedia@fya.org.au.This program is delivered by Foundation for Young Australians and prioritises inclusion of young people whose voices are underrepresented in mainstream media.