Victorian Young Leaders

Victorian Young Leaders First Nations pilot program

The VYL First Nations (VYLFN) pilot program is designed for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students who are enrolled to complete Year 9 or 10 at a Victorian government school in 2026. The program includes a cultural immersion camp and filmmaking workshop in Victoria, followed by an overseas learning experience in Aotearoa (New Zealand).

Through a blend of online and face-to-face activities, the program supports students in developing leadership, intercultural understanding and filmmaking skills, while fostering peer-to-peer learning and a focus on self-determination and cultural connection.

The program aligns with the Department of Education’s (the department) commitment to self-determination and improving outcomes for Koorie learners.

Benefits for students

The program supports students to:

• strengthen their leadership skills within and beyond their communities, while promoting a culturally safe and inclusive educational experience
• build confidence through cultural and intercultural learning by engaging with peers in Victoria and Aotearoa
• deepen understanding of self-determination, identity and connection to culture
• gain practical experience in filmmaking as a way to share stories and perspectives.

Program structure

The different phases of the program are:

Victorian immersion (13 to 17 January 2026)

• 5-day Victorian cultural and filmmaking workshop at Camp Jungai, Rubicon Valley, held during January school holidays.
• Co-designed cultural immersion activities, guest speakers, guided sessions, and support for students to create short films in small groups while learning about Victorian First Nations histories, stories, and leadership.
• Parent/family information session to share program focus and expectations.

Offshore experience (20 to 29 March 2026)

• A pre-departure briefing and virtual collaboration session to prepare students with cultural knowledge, travel information and connections with New Zealand peers.
• A fully coordinated 9-day visit to Aotearoa (New Zealand) in March 2026 for cross-cultural and peer learning with Māori students and cultural leaders, exploring self-determination and First Nations leadership through visits to schools and cultural sites, and the First Nations International Film Festival.

Post-program learning (April 2026)

• Post-offshore program activities to support reflection, leadership and sharing of insights with school communities to promote intercultural understanding.

Students will be supervised at all times in line with Victoria’s Child Safe Standards. All student participation, including flights, accommodation and meals in the program are fully funded by the department.

Key dates

Applications for the VYLFN pilot program are now closed.

The Rubicon Valley cultural immersion camp will take place from 13 to 17 January 2026. The overseas learning experience in New Zealand is scheduled for 20 to 29 March 2026.

For questions or to express interest in the program, contact: global.learning@education.vic.gov.au

Victorian Young Leaders to China virtual program

Since 2014, over 2000 students have participated in the VYL to China program. The program is now being delivered virtually to promote equity and accessibility.

The VYL to China virtual program is an intensive language program open to students in Years 9 and 10 studying Chinese. The program supports participants to develop their global citizenship, intercultural capability, leadership and language skills.

The program uses technology to provide opportunities for students to enhance and apply their Chinese language and culture skills with Chinese peers and teachers. The program also fosters connections through interactive cultural exchanges, and an optional immersion to the Museum of Chinese Australian History and Chinatown which includes an Amazing Race style student experience.

Benefits for students

The program aims to support students through combined language and cultural learning with accelerated personal and social development. It develops their understanding of China's traditional and contemporary culture through their Chinese peers.

The program provides an opportunity to:

• strengthen intercultural capability and global competence in students to foster better social cohesion
• improve student engagement, development, and aspiration within the middle years of schooling
• increase engagement with strategic partners in Asia to create opportunities for collaboration and address common challenges
• promote students' Chinese digital literacy and intercultural understanding through use of online language tools to communicate with Chinese peers and teachers.

Benefits for teachers

The program will support teachers to:

• build their knowledge of different types of pedagogical approaches to teaching Chinese as a Second Language in an online environment
• broaden overall teaching and learning strategies
• provide students with language acquisition skills and Chinese digital literacy within the program
• develop increased intercultural capability and understanding of Chinese culture and society.

Benefits for schools

The program will support schools to:

• accelerate students' leadership and citizenship capabilities, empowering them to act as strong role models for other students
• further strengthen Chinese language programs
• provide students and teachers with a virtual immersive experience of global learning and engagement
• have an opportunity to share knowledge and best practices and learn from Chinese partners and peers.

Program structure

The program is designed to:

• develop greater awareness of the benefits of learning a language through immersive online lessons, and opportunities to continue the study of Chinese and China related subjects' areas beyond Year 9 and 10
• consolidate Chinese language skills through exposure to content delivered in both Chinese and English, and opportunities to practice and receive timely feedback on language skill development
• build intercultural understanding and personal-social capabilities through meaningful activities and engagement with Chinese culture as well as forming connections with Chinese peers
• build global citizenship and strengthen leadership by participating in tasks exploring Chinese traditional and contemporary culture.

As part of the two-week program, schools are required to provide a supervising teacher to support participating students during all sessions. Ideally, schools should also provide a quiet space, such as a separate classroom, where students can join the virtual activities without distractions.

Most sessions will be held online at school, with one optional, half-day in-person excursion to Melbourne’s Chinatown.

Schools selected for the program will receive individual onboarding support.

Key dates

The Department of Education (the department) has partnered with Beijing Language and Culture University and Meg Languages to deliver the two-week virtual language and culture intensive program from 18–29 August 2025.

Applications for the 2025 program are now closed. If you have any questions, please contact: vylc@meglanguages.com