Youth Leaders Program

The Youth Leaders Program is a volunteer initiative for young people aged 14 - 18 across the Toowoomba Region.

Established in 2015, the program brings together 25 youth representatives each year to give young people a voice in local decision-making. Participants learn about Council processes, local communities, and services, while developing grassroots projects that create positive change for both young people and the wider community.

Youth Leader Program positions

Applications are open from beginning of June to the end of July each year.

How to apply

The online application will be available from 1 June.
Once you have submitted your application, the Youth Connect Team will be in touch.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants MUST live, work or study in the Toowoomba Region.
Applicants MUST be aged between 14 and 18 years of age as of the 31 December the following year.
Applicants MUST participate in both induction and training camps as outlined in the application.
Applicants must be committed to and able to attend regular meetings used for skills sessions, presentations, reflection, and discussion.
Applicants must be committed to attending community and youth-driven events identified by the Youth Leaders group.
Nominees must also be committed and able to attend regular meetings used for skills sessions, presentations, reflection and discussion (dates and topics to be set at the training camps).
Nominees must also be committed to attending community and youth driven events identified by the group.
The program will require a time commitment of approximately eight hours per fortnight, which must be considered before applying.

History of the program

Since the program commenced, the Regional Youth Leaders have been involved in:

Queensland Youth Week events
partnership projects with local NGOs
support for National Headspace Day and other youth groups
concerts and music development workshops
learn-to-swim lessons for young refugees
AUSLAN courses for young people
networking projects across multiple youth groups
youth storytelling projects
environmental projects.

With around 30,000 young residents in a regional population of 173,000, Youth Leaders play a vital role in ensuring Council programs remain relevant, inclusive, and impactful. They also help identify community issues and share opportunities for young people to connect with events, programs, and local service providers.

The Youth Leaders have represented the Toowoomba Regional Council at: