The Indigenous Youth Leadership Programme (IYLP) is part of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Australians Opportunity and Responsibility commitment. The Australian Government has committed $12.9 million to the Programme which will provide up to 200 Indigenous youth with access to education opportunities at high performing Government and non-Government Schools and up to 50 University places. The Programme aims to ensure that Indigenous youth from our remote areas receive the educational opportunities and experiences they deserve to take on future leadership roles in their communities. Students will also receive mentoring, targeted orientation, study tours and practical leadership experiences.
The IYLP has four programme elements. They are:
- Programme Administrator (delivered by The Foundation for Young Australians);
- IYLP Advisory Group;
- Support Strategies; and
- Leadership pathways.
The objectives of the IYLP are to:
- assist young Indigenous people generally from remote areas, to develop and fulfil roles as Indigenous leaders in their communities;
- provide young Indigenous people with the opportunity to attend Australian schools and universities, that offer a wide range of educational choices and experiences;
- support young Indigenous people before and during attendance at such schools and universities; and
- provide practical leadership experience.
To receive assistance under this programme, a young Indigenous person must generally be from a remote community. In addition they must be:
The IYLP Advisory Group will support and ensure the cultural integrity of the Programme. This Advisory Group will consult with the Programme Administrator to design a mentoring strategy involving other Indigenous Australians and develop the application and selection documentation. Application and selection documentation can be accessed on The Foundation’s website www.youngaustralians.org 
and through DEST State and Territory Offices.
- Mr Joe Ross (Chair)
- Ms Geraldine Atkinson
- Professor Mary Ann Bin-Sallik
- Mr Brendan Church
- Ms Tanya Hosch
- Mr Lui David
The IYLP Programme Administrator is responsible for:
- establishing, managing and promoting the programme nationally in multiple sites;
- managing 250 scholarships to both secondary school and university students;
- developing and managing orientation/ study tours and practical leadership experiences for participants;
- providing secretariat support to the IYLP Advisory Group;
- liaising and working closely with Indigenous communities, support agencies and education providers to implement mentoring and student support strategies;
- establishing partnerships and work with individual schools, school systems and universities; and
- generating philanthropic, corporate and private sponsorship to facilitate the similar opportunities and programmes for Indigenous youth into the future.
The IYLP Programme Administrator is the Foundation for Young Australians. To find out more about the Foundation please visit their website at www.youngaustralians.org
A National Reference Group has been convened by DEST, consisting of representatives from key education stakeholders and the Chair of the IYLP Advisory Group. The National Reference Group provides the formal mechanism for DEST and the Programme Administrator to hear views from education stakeholders on relevant school and tertiary issues that may impact on the success of the IYLP.
Current membership of the IYLP National Reference Group include:
Mr Tony Greer (Chair- Group Manager, Indigenous and Transitions Group)
- Mr Bill Daniels
- Brother Paul Hough
- Ms Beth Blackwood
- Ms Jane Ceolin
- Mr Andrew Blair
- Mr Gary Powell (DEST)
- IYLP Advisory Group
- Foundation for Young Australians
To find out more about the Indigenous Youth Leadership Programme please email the department at: iylp@dest.gov.au