Lead the Way : Shaping my Future
Want to use your lived experience to support other young people with disability shape their future?
Overview
Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) invites young people with disability to be part of designing the new Lead the Way: Shaping My Future program.
You’ll be paid to work alongside other young people with disability and QDN staff to help design a learning program for young people with disability to navigate big life changes such as employment, study, living arrangements, and advocating for yourself. You will help shape the content, look and feel, and experience of the Lead the Way: Shaping your Future program.
How to get involved
We currently have one role open for young people with disability:
For people with disability (18-35 years)
- Youth Peer Mentor
Our Youth Advisory Group and Program Co-Designer role applicants closed on 7 April. Applicants will be advised of the outcome by 30 May 2026.
Program Co-designer (18-25)
As a Program Co-designer, you will work with other young people with disability and the QDN team to help design the Lead the Way: Shaping your Future program activities.
As a Program Co-designer you will:
- Attend 6 online sessions (2 hours each) between April to June 2026
- Work collaboratively with other young people with disability, facilitators and the QDN project team
- Help design program topics, activities and learning modules
- Share ideas about what information and resources young people need most
Youth Advisory Group Member (18-25)
As a Youth Advisory Group Member, you’ll help ensure the Lead the Way: Shaping your Future program reflects the experiences, priorities and topics that are important to young people with disability.
As a Youth Advisory Group Member you will:
- Attend 8 online meetings (2 hours each) between April 2026 and November 2027
- Work collaboratively with other young people with disability, Peer Mentors and QDN project team
- Support young people with disability to be fairly represented throughout the program
- Ensure the program is relevant and reflects the topics and priorities that are most important to young people with disability
- Share feedback to help improve the program as it develops
- Support QDN to ensure young people with disability are included in community, education and employment opportunities
- Provide advice on how the program should be promoted so it reaches the right people
Youth Peer Mentor (18-35)
Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) is looking for young people with disability aged between 18–35 to join our Youth Peer Mentor team for our Lead the Way: Shaping your Future program.
As part of the Youth Peer Mentor team, you will:
- Connect with young people with disability (18-25 years) enrolled in the Lead the Way: Shaping my Future program
- Be a friendly person who participants can chat with during workshops and sessions
- Help create a welcoming, inclusive space where everyone feels respected, safe and able to be themselves
- Share your own experiences and advice on navigating life transitions after school
- Help co-host activities and peer learning forums
- Encourage and support participants to actively take part in the program
About QDN
Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) is a state-wide organisation of, by, and for people with diverse disability. QDN’s work is centred around a strong network of people across Queensland and over 30 peer support groups which inform, connect, lead, and influence change. Find out more about QDN’s projects across Queensland
About Lead the Way Project
Lead the Way: Shaping my Future is a two-year project designed to build the skills, confidence and connections young people with disability need for life after school.
The program is being co-designed and delivered by young people with disability.
The program includes:
- Online learning
- Short workshops
- Peer learning and mentoring
- Accessible resources and tools.
The program will be flexible, accessible and shaped by the experiences of young people with disability.
The project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and delivered by Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN).
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible to apply for the Youth Peer Mentor role?
- Have lived experience as a person with disability.
- Be aged between 18-35 at time of application.
- Live in Queensland.
- Be willing to share your experiences and insights to empower other young people with disability.
- Be available to attend online meetings.
- Be willing to apply for a Blue Card (Working with Children Check).
I applied for the Youth Advisory Group role and/or the Co-Designer role. What now?
We’ll be in touch with you after applications close on 7 April. If you have been successful, we will invite you to a relaxed interview, held online via Zoom. We’d love to meet everyone, but unfortunately, we can’t interview all applicants.
We will let you know if your application was unsuccessful by end of May.
I applied for the Youth Peer Mentor role. What now?
We’ll contact you after applications close on 30 April. If you have been successful, we will invite you to a relaxed interview, held online via Zoom.
We’d love to meet everyone, but unfortunately, we can’t interview all applicants.
Will the interviews be online?
Yes, the interviews will be held online via Zoom.
You will meet and speak to 2 or 3 people during the interview.
The interviews will be relaxed and will be an opportunity for us to chat and get to know more about you and the project.
During the interview, we will ask you questions about yourself and your interest in the role you applied for. You can also ask us questions during the interview.
We aim to make our interviews as comfortable and flexible as possible. We can share questions in advance and offer different ways to take part (including online, over the phone or in-person if you are located in Brisbane) and make required adjustments.
I have questions. Who should I contact?
You can contact our Project Officer – Danielle Harvey, at dharvey@qdn.org.au or call the QDN team on 1300 363 783.
Can I apply if I don't live in Brisbane?
Absolutely! The Co-Design, Youth Advisory Group and Youth Peer Mentor roles can all be done online, so you can join from anywhere in Queensland with internet access.
How much will I be paid for these roles?
Co-Design team and Youth Advisory Roles: $50 per hour
Youth Peer Mentor: $75 an hour
How many hours will I work if I am successful?
The total number of paid hours will depend on project needs and your availability. We have planned for:
- Co-Design Team: 6 x 2-hour meetings between May – June 2026
- Project Advisory Group: 8 x 2-hour meetings between July 2026 – November 2027
- Youth Peer Mentor: Approximately 2 hours a week. Total hours will depend on project need and your availability between June/July 2026 and June 2027.
Does it matter what disability type I have?
No. QDN is an organisation by and for people with all different disabilities. This means it doesn’t matter what your disability is, your lived experience is important to us.
Do I have to be on the NDIS or provide evidence of my disability to apply?
No! You don’t need to have a NDIS plan or be a part of any other programs for people with disability to apply. You do not need to provide any evidence of your disability.
I have accessibility requirements. Can I still apply for the roles?
Of course! You can let us know your accessibility requirements when you fill out your EOI we will can work with you to make sure these are in place.
Are there other ways for me to get involved with Lead the Way?
You can sign up for Lead the Way: Shaping my Future program once it launches later this year.
There will be multiple opportunities to sign up in 2026 and 2027.
Sign up for our Lead the Way: Shaping my Future newsletter if you would like us to send you the sign-up information once it is available.
Help lead the way for young people with disability
Sign up to receive regular updates from the Lead the Way: Shaping my Future program.
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