Young Ambassador applications are open! 

UNICEF Australia is excited to announce the opening of applications for the July 2026 to December 2027 Young Ambassador program! We are seeking passionate and motivated individuals aged 16-24 who are eager to make a difference in the world. As a Young Ambassador, you will have the unique opportunity to advocate for children's rights and voice concerns on issues that matter to Australia's youth on a national stage. These include advocating in our key areas which are climate change and emergencies, digital safety and wellbeing, child and youth participation, education, and health and wellbeing.  

As a Young Ambassador, you will work with 10 other Young Ambassadors from across Australia in this 18 month volunteer role. This role provides extensive training in leadership, advocacy, media and communications, empowering you to engage effectively with leaders and decision makers. The time commitment is around 10-15 hours per month, with increased involvement during key campaign periods, events or for travel. 

If you're ready to join a team of dedicated young leaders and speak up for a fairer Australia, apply now to become a UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador. Let's work together to create a brighter future for every child! 

What do Young Ambassadors do? 

• Listen to children and young people across Australia, gather their ideas and experiences, and elevate those insights to national decision‑makers, the media and public forums.
• Plan and deliver workshops, consultations and community activations that centre youth perspectives and bring young people into key national conversations.
• Create and feature in youth‑friendly content for social media, blogs and the UNICEF Australia website, amplifying the voices and lived experiences of young people nationwide. 
• Collaborate as a national team that commits to attending monthly meetings, ongoing training and development, and supporting one another to strengthen collective impact throughout the program. 

Examples from 2025 include:  

UNICEF Australia’s Young Ambassadors play an impactful national role. Over the last year this has included speaking at major events like Climate Action Week, the Digital Childhoods Summit, COP30, UN Youth Australia conferences, Cricket Australia, the National Tech Summit, the Child Rights Symposium and at schools. They led youth climate consultations across Australia to create the National Child and Youth Statement on Climate Change which they took to Parliament. Young Ambassadors played an active role in shaping the State of Australia’s Children Report by serving on the youth advisory group, being interviewed in media and speaking at the launch. They created engaging youth focused content during the election and contributed to strategy and policy recommendations to ensure young people’s lived experience are at the centre of conversations. 

We are looking for young people who 

1. Are 16-24 years old. You need to be 16 yeas old by 28 February 2026. If you turn 25 in 2027, you are still eligible to apply.
2. Living in Australia for the duration of the program.
3. Have a passion for hearing from children and young people across Australia. 
4. Enjoy working both independently and as part of a team, and are committed to continually building new skills and learning from peers. 
5. Are commitment to social justice and making positive changes for children and young people. 
6. Lived and living experience on issues impacting on young people. 
7. Can attend the Young Ambassador Induction Week in Sydney (all costs covered by UNICEF Australia) that will be starting the week of 13 July, from 13 – 17 July 2026. Noting that there may be travel time on the 13th and 18th of July. 
8. Have the capacity to volunteer 10-15 hours a month. 
9. Ability to obtain or have a cleared WWCC if you are over 18. 
10. Ability to obtain or have a cleared National Police Record Check. 

Personal attributes required for this position 

• Commitment to the Rights of the Child and demonstrated alignment with UNICEF Australia’s vision, mission, and values
• Collaborative team player
• Adaptable and flexible with a positive can-do attitude 
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate clearly with a wide range of stakeholders 
• Completes tasks within set timeframes 

UNICEF Australia values 

• Child Focus: We remember why we are here
• Accountability: We are accountable for our impact and actions on others
• Integrity: We do the right thing, even when no one is watching 
• Innovation: We love initiatives and new ideas 
• Collaboration: We work together for children 
• Trust: We deliver on our promises  

How To Apply 

To apply for this fantastic opportunity please select "Apply".  

Applications for this position close Sunday 22 February 2026 at 11:59pm AEDT.  
Please note that late submissions will not be considered, including due to tech difficulties, so give yourself plenty of time to submit it ahead of time.  

We know that AI tools are increasingly part of everyday life, and applicants may choose to use them. That said, we are looking to understand you. Your motivations, experiences and perspectives, in a genuine and authentic way. Responses do not need to be perfect; we value honesty and individuality over polished answers. 

For further information on this position, please be in touch with our Youth Engagement Team: ya@unicef.org.au. We welcome you to contact us to discuss any requirements that will ensure you can participate fully in our recruitment experience. If you are under 18 years of age you need to seek permission from your parent or guardian to participate in the program. 

All applicants are required to be legally entitled to work in Australia. UNICEF Australia has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and exploitation and adheres to strict safeguarding principles. All successful candidates will be required to undergo rigorous background checks (including National Police Check and Working with Children Check) and sign and abide by our Code of Conduct on Child Safeguarding & Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. 

UNICEF Australia is committed to ensure all our People, from any background, feel heard, considered, and able to contribute to their full potential. We are striving to build a truly inclusive workplace, one that our team feel they can bring their best self to work and is reflective of the wider community that we serve. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTIQ+ people, people from refugee backgrounds and people experiencing a disability.