National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy (NIYLA)


National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy (NIYLA)
Indigenous young people leading positive change in Australia.

The National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy (NIYLA) connects Indigenous young people from communities across Australia as the next generation of change makers.

NIYLA is passionate about mobilizing Indigenous young people to lead active positive change in Australia through youth-led national campaigns addressing social issues.“Many Voices, One Future“ – National Academy

This August, 50 Indigenous students will come together from across Australia for our ‘Many Voices, One Future’ National Academy in Sydney for a week long experience which students will;

  1. Meet other inspiring Indigenous young people
  2. Identify social issues that they are passionate about
  3. Develop national campaigns address national social issues

Students will gain a deeper understanding of their personal and collective values and their own significant place in history in the context of change in our nation over time and into the future. In groups, students will develop nationally focused campaigns on issues they feel passionately about, these campaign topics include:

  • Suicide Prevention
  • Refugee and Asylum Seekers
  • Constitutional Recognition
  • Climate Change
  • Closing the Gap

These Indigenous youth-led campaigns will contribute to the ongoing debate, myth bust, inform and advocate for change by appealing to an Indigenous and non-Indigenous audience of all ages, particularly young people. 

“I see that a lot of people in my community and in the wider world suffer from cyber bullying. I think it’s wrong, it brings people down and they can’t reach their full potential.” – Noel, 17, Alice Springs.

We are looking for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in Year 10, 11 and 12 who are:

  • Currently engaged in leadership, personal development or educational programs through a school or a community organisation;
  • Curious about social issues affecting communities on a local and/or national level;
  • Passionate about engaging a national network of likeminded Indigenous young people.
  • Passionate about leading positive change at a national level

Download NIYLA’s “Many Voices, One Future” Application Form

Register for the NIYLA Newsletter