Young Leaders are individuals who are already making a difference where they are. They are known for the values and principles they live by and are committed to not only bringing about change in their communities but also growing and developing their potential. Our Young Leaders can align their own personal value set to Labor’s values, and are passionate about working hard towards a better and fairer Australia, considering politics and government as a serious career option for their future.

Young Leaders are innovators and dreamers. They are never complacent or content with how things are; they are always aspiring to greater heights, rising to new challenges, and willing to learn more.

Young Leaders typically demonstrate many of the following characteristics:

• A personal ideological alignment to Labor’s democratic values, rooted in our values of social justice, fairness and equality
• A high level of interest in, and knowledge about, Australian politics and current affairs;
• An excellent understanding of the Labor’s principles and policies;
• Examples and evidence of having taken initiative, stepping outside normal roles to start something new;
• The ability to argue and reason well;
• Passion, drive and confidence;
• An authentic motivation to be actively involved in politics in future;
• A high level of self-awareness, maturity and emotional intelligence.

The John Curtin Leadership Academy is carefully designed to develop an entire set of competencies in order to grow a pool of knowledgeable, articulate, emotionally intelligent and resilient leaders who can one day lead the Labor at a national and state level.

These competencies include a wide range of practical and philosophical knowledge of politics, critical thinking and communication skills, as well as a high level of self-awareness and resilience over the course of one year.

Young Leaders will also enjoy a high level of interaction with senior leaders in the labour movement.

The academy entails:

• a two-day leadership retreat of workshops facilitated by JCRC Chairperson Sam Almaliki and Executive Director Nick Dyrenfurth, with guest presentations on leadership, campaigning and ALP history and culture
• mentors who will provide counsel and connections to each young leader on their journey within the labour movement
• a 3-month internship with the JCRC, providing an opportunity to learn and be part of research and policy development and advocacy
• ongoing access to the JCRC community of political, union and business leaders.

The John Curtin Young Leaders Academy is designed to allow participants to continue with their normal occupations while on the program. During the course of the year, Young Leaders will participate in a weekend-long leadership retreat and will undertake a 3-month flexible internship with the John Curtin Research Centre. Young Leaders will meet with mentors and leadership coaches over the course of the program. There is a high degree of flexibility, with a strong focus on learning and development of each participant. 

Before the leadership retreat, participants will be notified of travel arrangements. As the 2024 leadership retreat is taking place in Victoria, the JCRC will make all travel arrangements for Young Leaders who live outside of Victoria so that they can travel to and from the retreat.

All costs directly related to the John Curtin Young Leaders Academy are covered by the JCRC.

A national group of approximately 15-20 Young Leaders are selected annually.

The John Curtin Young Leaders Academy is open to all young Australian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35. These applicants must share Labor’s vision and values of social justice, fairness and equality. They must have proven themselves to be passionate leaders set on making a difference in Australia.

There are no specific qualifications required to apply. The John Curtin Young Leaders Academy is open to all Australian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35.

Applicants must be aged 35 or younger when they start the program at the leadership retreat in October 2024. Applications that do not adhere to this criteria will not be reviewed.

Applicants must be aged 18 or older when they start the program at the leadership retreat in October 2024. Applications that do not adhere to this criteria will not be reviewed.

Applicants will receive an automatic system email confirming they submitted a form online.

Applications are reviewed by the JCRC and applicants will receive a confirmation email within 5 working days, indicating whether their application package is complete or incomplete. If you do not receive this confirmation, please contact the office.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview. 

The preferred method of communication is e-mail: info@curtinrc.org