2026 Discover Governance Program

Just Governance
Curious about governance but not sure where to start?
Why us?
Creating pathways into governance for young and diverse voices, and people with lived experience.
Youth
Education
The opportunity:
Opportunity type:
Training and Leadership Program
Commitment:
Temp / Casual
Experience level:
🚀 Growing (2 - 5 yrs)
Location:
National
Remuneration:
Closing date:
May 4, 2026
Why you might love this opp:

Discover Governance is a practical, accessible program for young women, gender diverse people and those with lived experience who are ready to be part of decisions that shape communities.

Governance shapes the organisations that shape our communities — but the pathways into it are unclear, informal, and quietly exclusive. Discover Governance exists to change that.

This online, cohort-based program is designed for young women and gender-diverse people, particularly those with lived experience, who are ready to step into governance spaces or keen to learn more about what governance is. Across 5 sessions, you'll build practical governance knowledge and capability — understanding how boards operate, how decisions are made, and how to contribute with confidence.

Dates: May-June 2026

Applications for the next Discover Governance program are now open. If governance has felt distant, confusing or quietly closed to you, take a closer look at what we are building — and be part of the change.

What the evidence says

In our first cohort (January–February 2026), 17 participants joined from a range of sectors. Here's what they told us:

  • 75% started the program unclear about what is expected in a governance role
  • 92% improved understanding of roles/duties
  • 100% improved confidence in engaging in governance discussions
  • 2 participants have already applied for board roles

How it works

The program runs over 5 weeks online, with a 2.5-hour session every Tuesday evening. Each session combines interactive discussions and activities, real-world case studies, and insights from experienced guest speakers.

We encourage attendance at all sessions — each one builds on the last. Participants who miss a week due to work, travel, or illness can access the recording for that session.

Cost

We offer tiered pricing to make the program accessible:

  • $300 standard rate — for those in full-time employment or with employer sponsorship
  • $150 supported rate — for students, those working part-time, or anyone who needs a lower rate

Afterpay is available. We also have 2 scholarships available for under-represented young people — please get in touch if you'd like to know more.

Key criteria:

This program is for young women and gender-diverse people aged 18–35, particularly those from under-represented groups or with lived experience of disadvantage and exclusion. You don't need any prior governance experience — just a willingness to engage and learn.

A dedicated group space is created for each cohort, where you can connect with fellow participants, ask questions, and share reflections throughout the program.

How to apply:

Follow the link for more information.

YEP - IT'S A DISCLAIMER
Oh look! A legend is here reading some fine print! At Ripple our mission is to democratise access to purpose-driven opportunities. As a small team that curates hundreds of opportunities each week we do our best to share all the key information and juicy details. We often link out to the original listing and can't guarantee all details are included on our page, or the full accuracy as application windows and role descriptions may be changed by companies with short notice. If you're unsure of any details or closing dates, it's best to reach out to the organisation directly.
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