Youth Advisory Group Member - Growing Minds Australia

Murdoch Children's Research Institute; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading research institute in Melbourne is seeking passionate young individuals aged 18-24 to join their Youth Advisory Group for Growing Minds Australia. In this role, members will influence mental health research relating to children and young people, ensuring their voices are heard. This casual position emphasizes inclusivity and support for diverse backgrounds. The role offers training and flexible participation options, with applications closing on November 28, 2025.

Benefits

Training provided

Flexible participation options

Influence on national research tools

Qualifications

• Be aged 18-24 and live in Australia.
• Experience mental health or social wellbeing challenges.
• Interest in improving mental health research.

Responsibilities

• Guide how mental health research is done.
• Make research accessible and relevant to young people.
• Contribute to GMA's strategic direction.

Skills

Lived experience of mental health challenges

Passion for youth advocacy

Ability to share insights

Job description

Youth Advisory Group Member - Growing Minds Australia

Growing Minds Australia (GMA) is Australia's first child and youth mental health clinical trials network, and we're looking for passionate young people (aged 18-24) from across Australia to join our National Youth Advisory Group (YAG).

This is your chance to use your lived experience and ideas to shape the future of mental health research for children and young people.

About the Role

As a member of GMA's Youth Advisory Group, you'll:

• Share your voice and lived experience to guide how research is done
• Help make mental health research more meaningful, accessible, and relevant to young people
• Strengthen connections between researchers, communities, and youth voices
• Contribute to research priorities, study design, communication materials, and GMA's strategic direction
• Work with other advisory groups and committees within GMA
• Help translate research into real‑world practice and impact

This is a casual position at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), working specifically on Growing Minds Australia projects.

We strongly encourage applications from:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people
• People from multicultural backgrounds
• Young people who identify as LGBTQIA+
• Young people living with disability or chronic illness

You'll Need To:

• Be aged 18-24 and live in Australia
• Have lived experience of mental health or social and emotional wellbeing challenges in childhood
• Be passionate about improving experiences for other young people
• Be interested in how mental health research can make a difference

Bonus (but not required):

• Experience in youth advocacy or mental health projects
• Confidence using email, Zoom, or online platforms (or willingness to learn)

No formal qualifications needed — just real‑world experience and a willingness to share your story and ideas in a supportive and respectful space.

What's in it for you?

• Be Heard: Your insights will directly influence national tools used by researchers and practitioners
• Be Supported: We'll provide training and flexible options to support your participation
• Be Valued: Your time and experience are respected

Who we are

Murdoch Children's Research Institute envisions a transformative future for child health. Our institute is a hub of impactful scientific breakthroughs, particularly in early interventions, enhanced diagnosis, prevention, and potential cures. We thrive on collaborative, multidisciplinary problem‑solving to address challenging queries in child health. Committed to inclusivity and respect, we foster a positive working environment that values diverse backgrounds and experiences. As a proud member of the Australian Network on Disability and a dedicated supporter of Science Australia Gender Equity (SAGE), we uphold principles of equal opportunity and diverse representation.

We are committed to the safety of children and young people and takes a zero‑tolerance approach to all forms of child abuse, exploitation and harm. Child safety is prioritised in our decision‑making at all levels of the Institute.

Apply now and help us make research that truly reflects the voices of young people across Australia.

How to apply

Please provide a copy of your resume via one of the below methods:

• Click Apply on this advert - and create a candidate profile with MCRI attaching your resume
• Email your application directly to ***************@mcri.edu.au.

To express interest or learn more, contact:

We welcome individuals of diverse genders, ages, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, abilities, religions, and sexual orientations in our workplace. We actively encourage talented individuals from all walks of life to apply for our job openings. Our commitment lies in fostering a workplace that is barrier‑free and inclusive, aiming to attract the most skilled candidates.

Prioritising Lived Experience Through Special Measures

As part of our commitment to equity and inclusion, we are applying Special Measures under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) to prioritise participation from individuals who have historically faced systemic barriers and discrimination. We recognise that people with lived experience from underrepresented backgrounds bring unique strengths and perspectives that are vital to shaping meaningful mental health research.

We actively encourage expressions of interest from:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people
• Young people from multicultural backgrounds
• Young people who identify as LGBTQIA+
• Young people living with disability or chronic illness

These measures are designed to promote genuine equality of opportunity and ensure that diverse voices are represented and valued in all aspects of our work. If you identify with any of these groups, we strongly encourage you to apply and share your lived experience with us.

No recruitment agencies please.
Applications close: 28th November 2025 AUS Eastern Daylight time

Be careful - Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Don't transfer any money or complete suspicious online surveys. If you see something suspicious, report this job ad.