National Leadership Forum

Values | Compassion | Connection

What is the National Leadership Forum?

A Four Day Program Growing Future Australian Leaders

The Forum brings together young leaders from across Australia and the Pacific to explore and expand their leadership through the lens of values, compassion, and connection.

Over 4 days, young leaders will spend time alongside Members of Parliament, leaders of business,  and other young leaders from various stages of life to consider who they are as leaders, how they can expand their leadership repertoire, and how they may use their authentic leadership to serve others.

The Forum program includes keynote addresses by political and business leaders, leadership workshops, small group sessions, panel discussions and more.

The Details

WHEN

14th-17th September 2023

WHO

For People Aged 18-26

Delegates must have left school to attend. To attend, you must be nominated.

WHERE

Canberra, ACT

The Hyatt Hotel and Australian Parliament House.

COST

$1980 (inc GST)

Cost includes twin share accommodation, food, and conference expenses but does not include travel to or from the event.

To assist delegates in meeting the cost, a fundraising pack is available on request.

Limited scholarships and bursaries are available.

Hosted by Federal Parliamentarians

The National Leadership Forum is hosted by a multi-party group of Federal Parliamentarians who share a commitment to inspire and equip the next generation of Australian leaders.

Nominate a Young Leader to Attend

Nominations for the 2023 National Leadership Forum are not yet open. If you are an individual, organisation or tertiary education provider who identifies a young person aged 18-26 with a desire to lead and develop their leadership foundations, you can nominate them below now.

Nominatinate Here

Our Parliamentary Co-Chairs

Mr Julian Leeser MP

Federal Member for Berowra | NSW

Mr Luke Gosling OAM, MP

Federal Member for Soloman | NT

The Forum is co-chaired by our two Anchor Parliamentarians from both major parties.

Our Parliamentary Hosts

The Forum is endorsed and hosted by a large group of bi-partisan, multi-party, Members of Parliament and Senators some of which are shown below.

Senator Perin Davey

Senator For NSW

Mr Terry Young MP

Member for Longman | QLD

The Hon. Dr Anne Aly MP

Member for Cowan | WA

Mr Tony Zappia MP

Member for Makin | SA

The Hon. Alex Hawke MP

Member for Mitchell | NSW

Dr Anne Webster MP

Member for Mallee | VIC

Mr Dan Repacholi MP

Member for Hunter | NSW

Ms Anne Stanley MP

Member for Werriwa | NSW

The Hon. Jason Clare MP

Member for Blaxland | NSW

Senator Deborah O'Neill

Senator for NSW

The Hon. Andrew Hastie MP

Member for Canning | WA

Mr Graham Perrett MP

Member for Moreton | QLD

The Hon. Andrew Gee MP

Member for Calare | NSW

Senator the Hon. Don Farrell

Senator for SA

Senator The Hon. David Fawcett MP

Senator for SA

Dr Monique Ryan MP

Member for Kooyong | VIC

The Hon. Paul Fletcher MP

Member for Bradfield | NSW

The Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh MP

Member for Fenner | ACT

Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP

Member for Calwell | VIC

The Hon. Shayne Neumann MP

Member for Blair | QLD

Mr Sam Lim MP

Member for Tangney | WA

The Hon. Scott Buchholz MP

Member for Wright | QLD

The Hon. Andrew Wallace MP

Member for Fisher | QLD

The Hon. Luke Howarth MP

Member for Petrie | QLD

Dr Gordon Reid MP

Member for Robertson | NSW

Senator The Hon. Jonathon Duniam

Senator for TAS

Ms Kylea Tink MP

Member for North Sydney | NSW

The Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP

Member for Kingsford Smith | NSW

The Hon. Michael Sukkar MP

Member for Deakin | NSW

The Hon. Milton Dick MP

Member for Oxley | QLD

The Hon. Michael McCormack MP

Member for Riverina | NSW

Dr Sophie Scamps MP

Member for Mackellar | NSW

The Hon. Bob Katter MP

Member for Kennedy | QLD

Mr Bert van Manen MP

Member for Forde | QLD

Senator Hollie Hughes

Senator for NSW

And others to be listed in 2023.

What Does National Leadership Forum Look Like?

Take a look at some of the previous years

A Rich History of Young Leaders

Over 20 Years of Exploring Leadership

Since its inception in 1997, the Forum has brought together over 2,700 young emerging leaders from across Australia and the Pacific nations to explore the foundations of their leadership.

With a diversity of intellectual, cultural and religious backgrounds represented, the Forum is an opportunity for young leaders to discuss ideas, explore concepts of leadership, and build networks of young leaders from across Australia and the Pacific.

Over the last 21 years, the Forum has been a nexus of emerging leadership with a focus on values, compassion, and connection.

What Past Delegates Have Said

An experience like nothing I have ever done before. It was insightful and really reminded me to listen to people and their stories. There is a lot to learn from them.”
“Challenging, insightful, enriching. I’m going home having been challenged to think about my influence, my leadership and how to be a force for good.”
“I found that the small group discussions were really effective and valuable because it really helped everyone to look at other people’s perspectives and listen to their stories.”
“I have found those people to do life with ….. I want to become one of those people that comes back year after year!”
“Amazing!! Great to see things behind the scenes and be able to interact with politicians in a normal human to human way rather than seeing them through the lens of media portrayal.”
“We received great insight into the life of a member of parliament; it changed my view of them and found them to be true human beings rather than the cynical people we normally see in media.”

How to Nominate a Young Person to Attend

To attend The National Leadership Forum you need to be nominated. Our Nominators are a key part of the Forum story.
Each year this remarkable group of supporters help us identify and draw together young delegates 18-26 years old, with strong leadership potential and a desire to exercise that leadership on behalf of the community.

If you know a young person who is looking to build their leadership foundation and increase their connection to peers and community? Please take this opportunity to nominate them for this unique and transformative experience.

Nominate Here

What is the Nomination Process?

Step 1

A young person is identified and nominated to attend NLF by an individual, organisation or tertiary education institution.

Step 2

This young person receives an email advising them they have been nominated and asking them to confirm their interest to attend NLF and complete their personal profile.

Step 3

The National Leadership Forum team will review the application and confirm their acceptance within 5 working days of the application's completion.

Step 4

The delegate will receive a detailed email including what to expect at the National Leadership Forum, as well as the next steps for their attendance.