Get Paid $40 per Hour to Shape Youth Digital Life in Australia: Telstra Foundation Youth Advisory Council 2026

Most adults spend a lot of time talking about young people online. About screen time. About cyberbullying. About “kids these days” and whatever app is supposedly melting everyone’s brain this week.

Here’s the twist: the Telstra Foundation Youth Advisory Council 2026 is built on a simple, refreshing idea—young people should be in the room when decisions about young people are being made. Not as a token “youth voice” tacked onto the end of a meeting, but as actual advisors who can steer projects, critique ideas, and call out what’s out-of-touch.

If you’re in Australia, aged 12–18, and you’ve got opinions about the digital world (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), this is one of those opportunities that’s both meaningful and genuinely practical. You’ll meet other switched-on young people across the country, help shape real initiatives, and get paid $40 an hour for your time and expertise.

And no, you don’t need a blazer, a résumé the size of a phone book, or a professionally lit audition tape. The application hinges on a short video. Think: clear, authentic, and you.

Deadline: February 23, 2026. The clock is ticking—but in a “you can totally do this if you start now” kind of way.

At a Glance: Telstra Foundation Youth Advisory Council 2026

What This Youth Advisory Council Actually Is (And Why It Matters)

A youth advisory council can sound like one of those “nice idea” programs where nothing changes and everyone claps politely. This one aims higher.

Telstra Foundation is kicking off the second year of the council alongside PROJECT ROCKIT (known in Australia for tackling bullying and helping young people build safer, braver communities). The goal is straightforward: bring young Australians directly into the work, so projects meant to support youth are guided by people who live the reality every day.

That means your input isn’t hypothetical. You’ll be asked to co-create, review, and advise on initiatives that touch everything from digital wellbeing to research and public-facing content. One example mentioned is the Australian Youth Digital Index—the kind of project that can influence how adults (and institutions) understand what’s happening online for young people, what’s improving, and what’s getting worse.

This is also an unusual chance to practice real-world skills without it feeling like school. You’ll learn how to give constructive feedback, disagree without burning bridges, and translate your experiences into insights other people can use. It’s like being handed a microphone—and also being taken seriously when you use it.

And yes, being compensated matters. Paying young people is a signal: your time is valuable, and your perspective is expert knowledge.

The Benefits: Why This Is Worth Your Time (Beyond the Pay)

Let’s talk about what you’ll really get out of it.

First, you get to say what’s working and what’s not in the digital world. That might be online safety and reporting tools that don’t work the way adults think they do. It might be the pressure cooker of group chats. It might be the ways young people use the internet for learning, identity, humour, friendship, or survival. The point is: you’re not being asked to pretend everything is fine, or to tell a tidy story.

Second, you’ll be contributing to real projects—not a pretend “youth consultation” worksheet that disappears into a drawer. You’ll have a hand in shaping initiatives that aim to support young people nationwide, and your feedback may influence what gets researched, what gets published, and what gets prioritised next.

Third, there’s a creative angle. Council members can contribute to content made for and about young people—videos, stories, advice, creative pieces. If you’ve ever watched a campaign aimed at teens and thought, “Nobody my age wrote this,” here’s your chance to fix that problem from the inside.

Finally, there’s the people part. You’ll connect with other young people from different states, backgrounds, and experiences. If you’re used to being the only one in your friend group who cares about digital culture or online safety (or if you’re the one everyone comes to when something goes wrong), it’s a relief to find peers who get it.

Who Should Apply: The Eligibility in Plain English (With Real Examples)

Telstra Foundation is looking for young people across Australia, aged 12–18, from “all sorts of backgrounds and experiences.” Translation: they don’t want one type of student from one type of school with one type of personality. They want variety—different identities, communities, and perspectives.

You’re eligible if you’re 12–18 and live in Australia. Beyond that, the “requirements” are more about mindset than credentials. You should be interested in tech, creativity, online safety, digital culture, or simply making things better for young people.

That could look like:

• You’re the friend who explains privacy settings, scams, or reporting tools to everyone else—without making them feel stupid.
• You make videos, design, memes, music, art, or edits, and you care about how young people express themselves online (and what gets policed or misunderstood).
• You’ve experienced online drama, harassment, exclusion, or dogpiling and you’ve got thoughts about what would actually help.
• You love tech and apps and you’re curious about how platforms shape behaviour—why one comment section feels supportive and another feels like a bin fire.
• You’re not a “tech person” at all, but you care about fairness, mental health, community safety, or how young people are treated online.

One important note: this role includes some professional basics—like responding to correspondence and requests in a timely way. You don’t need to sound like a politician, but you do need to be reliable. If you can show “I follow through,” you’ll stand out.

What You Will Do as a Council Member (The Day-to-Day Reality)

The council work is largely online, with regular virtual meetings and discussions. You’ll collaborate with other council members and engage with Telstra Foundation (and sometimes Telstra itself) when opportunities come up.

You may be asked to:

• Co-create and give feedback on projects and initiatives (including research-focused work like the Australian Youth Digital Index).
• Help shape a research report by sharing your insights—basically translating lived experience into useful findings.
• Create or contribute to creative content that reflects young peoples experiences (the kind of content that doesn’t talk down to its audience).
• Join ad hoc events and opportunities when possible (including potential media opportunities).

This isn’t “show up once, smile for a photo, disappear.” It’s ongoing involvement—manageable, but real.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application Video (Without Becoming Cringey)

The application asks for a short video answering questions about who you are, your strengths, and what excites you about the digital world. “No fancy setup required” is doing a lot of comforting work here—and you should believe it.

Here’s how to make your video land well.

1) Pick one clear point of view, not ten half-points

A common mistake is trying to be everything: tech expert, activist, comedian, philosopher, future CEO. Instead, choose a strong thread. Maybe you care about online safety for younger students. Maybe you care about how social media affects belonging. Maybe you care about creativity and expression online. One strong theme beats five vague ones.

2) Tell one specific story (a real moment beats a big speech)

Adults love big statements. Reviewers love evidence you notice what’s real. Share a short moment: a group chat situation, a reporting tool that failed, a trend that helped people feel seen, a time you supported a friend online. Keep it respectful and private—no names, no identifying details. But make it concrete.

3) Translate your experience into advice (show you can think bigger than yourself)

The council role is about turning your perspective into something others can use. After you share your story, add: “What I think would help is…” or “If we want this to improve, we should…” That shift—from experience to insight—is exactly what advisory work requires.

4) Prove you can collaborate (even if you are allergic to group projects)

You don’t need to claim you love teamwork. You just need to show you can do it. Mention a time you worked with others—school, sport, debate, theatre, coding club, community volunteering, family responsibilities—and what role you played. Councils need listeners as much as talkers.

5) Keep the production simple, but the audio clear

Film near a window. Prop your phone up. Make sure your voice is easy to hear. That’s it. The goal is not cinematic perfection; it’s being understood. If your video is too quiet or filmed in a wind tunnel, your brilliance won’t come through.

6) Show personality, but don’t perform a character

Witty is fine. Serious is fine. Quiet-but-thoughtful is fine. The only thing that doesn’t work is pretending to be what you think they want. Advisory councils can smell “trying to sound impressive” from a kilometre away.

7) Give them confidence you will show up

Because the role includes meetings, feedback, and timely responses, close with something simple and reassuring: you’re keen, you’re organised enough to participate, and you’re ready to contribute.

Application Timeline: A Realistic Plan to Hit the February 23, 2026 Deadline

If you try to film your video the night it’s due, you’ll end up with a take where you forget your best point, your dog barks, and you decide your face looks weird on camera (it doesn’t; your brain is just being dramatic). Give yourself breathing room.

Here’s a sane timeline working backward from February 23, 2026:

3–4 weeks before (late January): Read the full instructions and position description carefully. Jot down 3–5 experiences or opinions you could talk about. Ask yourself: what do I notice about the digital world that adults usually miss?

2 weeks before (early February): Draft rough answers to the video prompts. Not a script you’ll read like a robot—more like bullet notes. Do one practice recording to see what you actually sound like.

7–10 days before: Record 2–3 full takes. Watch them back once, not twelve times. Pick the one that feels clear and confident, not the one where you look like a newsreader.

3–5 days before: Ask a trusted person (friend, sibling, parent/carer, teacher) to watch and tell you what they understood. If they can’t repeat your main point back to you, tighten it.

48 hours before: Finalise, check file format/size if relevant, and submit early. Tech fails at the worst possible time. Don’t invite chaos.

Required Materials: What You Need to Prepare

Based on the official call details, the core requirement is a short video submission responding to specific questions (who you are, your strengths, and what excites you about the digital world). The official PDF includes the full instructions and position description, and you should treat those as your checklist.

To prepare well, gather:

• Your video response, filmed on a phone or laptop, with clear sound and decent lighting.
• A few notes so you don’t forget your key points (avoid reading word-for-word if you can).
• A quiet place to record, even if it’s just a corner of your home with the door closed.
• Any required details from the instructions (for example, how to name the file, where to upload/send it, and whether there are consent steps for applicants under 18).

Practical tip: write down your “three anchors” before filming—(1) what you care about, (2) an example from your life, (3) what you think should change. If you hit those three, you’ve done the job.

What Makes an Application Stand Out (What They Are Likely Listening For)

Even without seeing the scoring rubric, you can make a smart guess. Programs like this typically look for:

Clarity. Can you explain your ideas in a way that makes sense to people outside your age group? If you can translate without watering things down, you’re gold.

Lived insight. Not hot takes copied from the internet—your actual perspective. What does school, friendship, identity, or safety look like online right now, from where you stand?

Range and openness. Telstra Foundation explicitly wants diverse voices and identities. That includes cultural background, geography, schooling, family situation, accessibility needs, and different relationships to tech (heavy user, cautious user, creative maker, etc.). Standout applicants don’t try to be “the normal one.” They show what they bring.

Reliability. Advisory work is partly exciting and partly showing up. If you can communicate that you’ll participate respectfully and respond on time, you reduce the biggest fear organisers have: someone who vanishes after selection.

Constructive thinking. You don’t have to be relentlessly positive. In fact, thoughtful critique is useful. But critique lands best when it comes with ideas: what would you improve, and how?

Common Mistakes to Avoid (So You Do Not Accidentally Undercut Yourself)

Mistake 1: Making the video a generic motivational speech

If your video could be swapped with anyone else’s, it won’t stick. Add specifics: a situation you’ve seen, a pattern you’ve noticed, a change you want.

Mistake 2: Trying to sound older than you are

You don’t need corporate language. You’re applying as a young person because that’s the point. Speak plainly. If you’re thoughtful, it will show without you forcing it.

Mistake 3: Going too negative without offering a path forward

Yes, the online world can be messy. But an advisory council needs people who can look at a messy problem and still think: “Here’s what we can do next.”

Mistake 4: Oversharing personal details

You can be real without giving away private information. Keep it general and safe, especially if talking about harm, mental health, or conflict.

Mistake 5: Ignoring the basics (sound, deadline, instructions)

A brilliant idea filmed with muffled audio is like a great song played underwater. And a late application is usually a non-starter. Follow the instructions like they’re part of the test—because they are.

Mistake 6: Forgetting to explain why you, specifically, want this role

Don’t just say you care. Say why. What pulls you toward this work? What perspective do you have that you rarely see represented?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) Is this a scholarship or a job?

It’s neither in the traditional sense. It’s a paid advisory role on a youth council. You’re compensated $40 per hour for your time and expertise.

2) Do I need experience in public speaking, activism, or tech?

No. Interest and insight matter more than a formal track record. If you care about tech, creativity, online safety, digital culture, or improving things for young people, you’re in the right territory.

3) I am shy on camera. Can I still apply?

Yes. The video isn’t a charisma contest. Aim for clear and honest. You can keep it simple: calm voice, steady pacing, and a couple of strong points.

4) Do I need professional filming equipment?

No. The instructions explicitly say no fancy setup is required. A phone camera in a quiet space with decent light is enough.

5) How much time will it take if I am selected?

The council includes regular virtual meetings, plus occasional extra activities and opportunities when possible. The exact time commitment is best confirmed in the position description, but you should expect ongoing participation rather than a one-off event.

6) Can young people from any part of Australia apply?

Yes. It’s open to young people across Australia, and they’re actively seeking a wide range of voices and experiences.

7) What kinds of projects might I work on?

You may advise on Telstra Foundation projects and initiatives, including research and reports such as the Australian Youth Digital Index, plus creative content that reflects young peoples experiences.

8) What if I miss the deadline by a few hours?

Do not count on extensions. Treat February 23, 2026 as final, and submit at least 48 hours early if you can.

How to Apply (Next Steps You Can Do This Week)

First, open the official PDF and read it once all the way through. On the second read, pull out the practical details: where to submit, video guidelines, and anything you need to include alongside the video.

Next, plan your video before you press record. Decide your main message (what you care about most), pick one short example from your life, and finish with what you think needs to change. That simple structure makes you sound organised without sounding rehearsed.

Then record two takes. Not twenty. Choose the clearest one, check the audio, and submit early so you’re not battling upload issues at 11:58 pm.

Apply Now: Full Details and Official Instructions

Ready to apply? Visit the official opportunity page (PDF) here: https://telstrafoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Link-Updated-TelstraFoundation-YouthAdvisoryCouncilv3.pdf