Neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ Youth Local Community Leaders Program

The Youth Disability Advocacy Service runs this Victorian program with Children and Young People with Disability Australia. It develops leadership and advocacy skills for neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ young people through a small-group workshop series.

Most workshops are online, while some are hybrid with an in-person option at the YDAS office in Melbourne. Participants who complete the workshops also help create and run a Community Summit in 2027.

Benefits & funding

Participation is free.
The program offers 20 workshops led by two disabled facilitators for a group of 12 participants.
YDAS can pay travel and accommodation costs for participants from regional or rural Victoria.
Participants build leadership, advocacy, teamwork, communication and project skills, and may receive later job, study and volunteering opportunities.
Graduates help create and run a Community Summit in 2027.

Eligibility

Applicants must be aged 18 to 25.
Applicants must live in Victoria.
Applicants must identify in their own way as neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+ and a leader.
No diagnostic evidence or NDIS participation is required; self-identification is accepted.
Participants must attend at least 10 of the 20 workshops to graduate.
The official page states no nationality, degree or prior-experience requirement.

Can you apply?

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Residence required
Australia
Age requirement
18–25 yrs

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Application process

1
Check the official program page or join its waitlist for details of a future round.
2
When applications reopen, use the application form linked from the program page.
3
Contact YDAS by email, phone or text if support is needed to complete the application.

Program timeline

Applications closed.
Jun 4, 2026 at 5 pm
Workshops started.
Jul 30, 2026
Twenty weekly workshops are scheduled, with one-week breaks after each five-week block.
July–December 2026
Graduates help create and run a Community Summit.
2027, exact date not published