Youth Ambassador search
Young Voices
Leading change
Fortem Australia is looking for young people aged 12 – 23 with a strong personal connection to the first responder community to become Youth Ambassadors.
Youth Ambassadors will share their perspectives, inspire other young people and help shape Thank a First Responder Day® 2027. They will have opportunities to develop their leadership, advocacy, media and public speaking skills while helping children and young people from first responder families feel seen, heard and understood.
Whether you have participated in Fortem before or are discovering us for the first time, we want to hear your ideas, experiences and hopes for the first responder community.
Share your perspective
Help ensure the voices and experiences of young people from first responder families are heard and understood.
Grow your leadership skills
Build confidence and develop practical skills in leadership, advocacy, media and public speaking.
Turn your ideas into action
Help shape youth initiatives, lead activities in your community and inspire others to support first responders and their families.
Be part of something bigger
Represent Fortem through Thank a First Responder Day, community events, campaigns and other opportunities across Australia.
Becoming a Youth Ambassador
To apply for Fortem’s Youth Ambassador program please complete the application form below.
The application asks you to tell us a little about yourself, your connection to the first responder community and why you would like to become a Fortem Youth Ambassador. You will also need to upload a short video introducing yourself and sharing why supporting first responders is important to you.
If you are under 18, permission from a parent or guardian will be required. Everything you need to know about the application process, video requirements and Youth Ambassador role is explained in more detail below.
You don’t need to be an experienced public speaker, have the loudest voice or the most impressive résumé. We are looking for young people who care about the first responder community, are willing to share their ideas and want to help make a difference. Training and support will be provided, and participation will be tailored to each ambassador’s confidence, interests and experience.
Applications open: 1 September 2026
Applications close: 1 October 2026
Thank a First Responder Day: 9 June 2027
Working with Fortem has given me the opportunity to work with other kids like me and create a welcoming space where other emergency service kids can understand the challenges we’re going through.
– Piper, Children and Family Ambassador
We understand that public speaking, media interviews and appearing at events may not suit everyone. If the Youth Ambassador role doesn’t feel right for you, or if you are under 12, we would still love to hear from you and keep you informed about other leadership and participation opportunities for children and young people. Submit an EOI to stay informed about other opportunities.
More information
Read through the ‘About the role’ and ‘Application process’ sections below to learn who can apply, what Youth Ambassadors do, the support and opportunities available, and what you’ll need to submit with your application.
Who can apply?
You can apply if you:
- are aged 12 – 23 (applicants under 18 will need permission from a parent or guardian) if you are under 12, we would still love to hear from you and keep you informed about other leadership and participation opportunities for children and young people.
- have a strong personal connection to the first responder community
- are passionate about supporting first responders and their families
- are interested in representing young people and encouraging others to get involved
- are willing to participate in online planning, training and campaign activities.
- have some availability between 30 May and 9 June 2027 for campaign and media opportunities
We welcome a diverse range of applicants and hope to hear from young people of different ages, backgrounds, locations, first responder agencies and family experiences.
What does a youth ambassador do?
Youth Ambassadors are a youth voice for Fortem and play an important role in Thank a First Responder Day®.
Depending on their interests, location and availability, ambassadors may:
- share ideas and help shape Fortem’s youth initiatives and Thank a First Responder Day
- encourage schools, community groups, libraries and councils to participate in Thank a First Responder Day
- connect with first responders and organisations in their local community
- feature in campaign videos, media interviews and promotional content
- attend or speak at community events
- support and inspire other young people
- help other young people understand the experiences of first responder families
- represent Fortem at selected events, conferences and wellbeing initiatives.
Ambassadors may contribute locally, represent their state or territory, or bring youth perspectives to national initiatives, campaign planning and promotion.
What will I gain?
Youth Ambassadors will receive:
- an official appointment as a Fortem Youth Ambassador
- induction and ongoing support from Fortem
- leadership, media and public speaking development
- opportunities to contribute to a national campaign
- mentoring opportunities
- community engagement resources and presentation materials
- a profile on the Fortem Australia website
- access to Fortem’s wellbeing and clinical support services
- a certificate, reference and recognition of their contribution.
This is an opportunity to build practical experience, grow your confidence and make a meaningful contribution to the first responder community.
What is the time commitment?
Youth Ambassadors will participate in activities between November 2026 and July 2027 and beyond.
Key activities are expected to include:
- November/December: Virtual induction
- January: National planning session and personal goal setting
- February – April: Encouraging community participation and planning local activities
- March/April: Virtual ambassador check-in
- May: Media training and recording a short campaign video
- 30 May–9 June: Ambassadors are required to have some availability for selected campaign and media opportunities
- 9 June: Participation in Thank a First Responder Day
- July: Post-campaign reflections and celebration of ambassador achievements.
Participation will be planned around each ambassador’s age, location, availability and other commitments. Not every ambassador will be expected to take part in every opportunity.
Remember, if the Youth Ambassador role isn’t quite right for you, or if you are under 12, we’d still love to hear from you and share other youth leadership and participation opportunities.
To apply, complete the online application form and upload a short video introducing yourself.
Applications open: 1 September 2026
Applications close: 1 October 2026
Introduction video
You can film your application video easily just using your phone, tablet or computer. Please pre-record your video and save it as an MP4 file to upload when you submit your application.
Your video should:
- be between 60 and 120 seconds
- be filmed horizontally/landscape
- be filmed with good lighting
- be filmed in a quiet location with minimal background noise (we want to hear your voice and story)
In your video please answer or speak to the following questions:
- Why do you want to become a Youth Ambassador?
- Why is supporting first responders important to you?
- How would you encourage other young people to get involved?
You do not need professional video equipment or editing. We are interested in hearing from you, not in how polished your video looks.
Application form
The application form will ask about:
- applicant contact details
- parent or guardian details and permission (for those under 18)
- your connection to the first responder community
- any previous involvement with Fortem or Thank a First Responder Day
- an example of how you have shown leadership, volunteered or contributed to your community
- the skills, interests and experiences you would bring to the role.
What happens after I apply?
Application review
Fortem will review applications during October. Ambassadors will be selected with consideration given to their passion, ideas and willingness to participate.
Shortlist conversation
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an informal 15–20-minute online conversation with Fortem team members.
This is an opportunity for us to get to know you, hear more about your interests and ideas, explain the role and answer questions from you and your family.
For applicants under 18, a parent or guardian will be invited to join part of the conversation.
Announcement
Successful applicants are expected to be contacted in November 2026.
Questions?
If you or your parent or guardian would like further information about the Youth Ambassador program or application process, please contact: impact@fortemaustralia.org.au
Submit your application
Ready to apply to become a Youth Ambassador?
- pre-record your introduction video and save it as an MP4 file
- complete the application form below and hit submit
- if you are under 18, you will need permission from a parent or guardian to apply.
Help spread the word
Help us reach young people across Australia who are ready to share their voice and make a difference. Download our suggested social media text, promotional poster and social tiles to share with your school, workplace, agency, organisation or wider community.
Newsletter
Fortem Youth Ambassador applications now open
Fortem Australia is looking for young people aged 12–23 with a strong connection to the first responder community to become Fortem Youth Ambassadors.
Youth Ambassadors will help represent the voices and experiences of first responder children and young people, providing ideas and feedback to help shape Fortem’s work and encouraging greater understanding and support for first responder families.
Ambassadors will have opportunities to contribute to Fortem initiatives and campaigns, including Thank a First Responder Day, represent Fortem at selected events and speaking opportunities, and develop skills in leadership, advocacy, media and public speaking.
If the Youth Ambassador role doesn’t feel right for you, or if you are under 12, Fortem would still love to hear from you to keep you informed about other leadership and participation opportunities for children and young people.
Youth Ambassador applications close 1 October 2026.
Learn more and apply: https://fortemaustralia.org.au/youth-ambassador-search/
Social media
📣 Calling young people in our first responder community
Applications are now open for Fortem Youth Ambassadors – a national program for young people aged 12–23 with a strong connection to the first responder community.
Fortem Youth Ambassadors will help represent the voices and experiences of first responder children and young people, contribute ideas to help shape Fortem’s work, and build skills in leadership, advocacy, media and public speaking.
There will also be opportunities to get involved in community events and campaigns, including Thank a First Responder Day.
If you know a young person in our community who would be a great fit, encourage them to apply.
📅 Applications close 1 October 2026.
Learn more and apply 👉 https://fortemaustralia.org.au/youth-ambassador-search/
Poster
Print and display the poster on noticeboards in your school, workplace, agency or community space.
Social media tiles
Download and share the social media tiles across your channels to help spread the word and encourage young people in your community to apply.
Video
Watch and share this video from Piper, Fortem’s Family and Children Ambassador, as she explains why she loves representing Fortem and supporting first responder families.
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/KiV7tCXv5Ds?si=kbWPI253vJNKA3_8
Interested in other opportunities?
If the Youth Ambassador role isn’t quite right for you, or if you are under 12, we’d still love to hear from you. Submit an expression of interest to hear about other leadership and participation opportunities for children and young people.