What is the First Nations Governance Group?

The First Nations Governance Group (FNGG) brings together a collective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people (aged 18–35) to help guide and shape FYA’s First Nations teams work. As a member of FNGG, you’ll have the opportunity to advise on strategies, projects, and protocols that directly impact First Nations young people across the country.

Why does it exist?

FYA is committed to working in accountable, ethical, and self-determined ways. FNGG exists to ensure our work is grounded in community priorities, cultural integrity, and the lived experiences of young mob. This group ensures our First Nations work is not just about community, but led by community.

What’s the involvement?

FNGG operates as a national governance group with five meetings each year—four held online and one in-person gathering. By embedding regular, consistent communication between the group and First Nations team, we maintain strong cultural accountability to First Nations communities across the continent.

As a FNGG member of FNGG you can expect to: 

  • Connection with other young mob from across the continent 
  • Contribute to designing programs that centre First Nations young people
  • Build leadership, cultural governance, and decision-making skills
  • Opportunities to represent FNGG in spaces like seeding strength grant panels and working groups 
  • Be part of a growing network for young changemakers creating impact in their communities 

Application details

The First Nations Governance Group (FNGG) Recruitment 2025 is open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people aged 18–35 from across the continent, who are passionate about community leadership, advocacy, and systemic change.

The online application form won’t take too long to complete, and if you prefer, you can submit a short video instead of writing your responses! The first step of the application process is to fill out the EOI form, from there our First Nations staff will shortlist suitable candidates. Shortlisted candidates will then progress to an online interview and we will then finalise our decision and notify the successful applicants.

Applications close on 26 April 2026 11:59pm. Successful applicants will be notified by end of March to organise next steps, including an online onboarding session.

FAQs

How will members be chosen?

All expressions of interest will be reviewed by a panel of two First Nations staff members at FYA and one First Nations Governance Group Member. We’re looking for a diversity of voices, lived experiences, and regional representation. You don’t need to have formal leadership experience — just a passion for community, culture, and creating change.

What is the commitment?

FNGG members must commit to: 

  • Attending 5 meetings per year (1 in person) 
  • Contribute to discussion, reflections and collective decisions 
  • Optional involvement in working groups, panels or activities relating to our First Nations programs

Will this cost me anything? Will I be paid?

There is no cost to members to participate. You will be paid a sitting fee in the form of an honorarium for attending the meeting and your travel and meal costs will be covered for the in person meeting.

What inclusion and accessibility support will be provided?

We are committed to making sure everyone feels safe, supported, and able to participate fully. For meetings, we can provide:

  • Flexible meeting times to accommodate time zones
  • Breaks during longer sessions
  • Easy-read versions of key documents
  • Auslan interpreters 

If you have any other accessibility needs, we encourage you to let us know in your application or by getting in touch,  we’ll do our best to meet them.

Who can I contact for more information?

If you have questions or want more information please get in touch with the team at [email protected]

Expression of interest form

We ask for some personal details in this form. These are collected for the purpose of contacting you about your application.

We will also use this information to add you to our mailing list to receive communications about our upcoming programs, events and opportunities. If at any time you wish to opt-out of receiving communications from us, you may unsubscribe using the link provided or email us at [email protected]