2024 MDA Mentorship Program

Opportunities

2024 MDA Mentorship Program

Media Diversity Australia is excited to announce that applications for our 2024 Mentorship Program are now open! This program is dedicated to empowering both current and aspiring media professionals from diverse backgrounds by connecting them with experienced mentors from across the industry. 

Spanning six months, our program offers invaluable opportunities for career growth through tailored mentorship, networking events, and carefully curated resources. We understand the importance of diversity and inclusivity in media, and our mentorship initiative is designed to equip participants with the skills and insights they need to succeed.

For individuals from culturally and racially marginalised communities, navigating the media industry can be particularly challenging, with obstacles such as underrepresentation and systemic barriers. Our mentorship program directly addresses these issues, providing a supportive environment where diverse voices are not only heard but empowered.

If you’re an aspiring, early, or mid-career journalist looking to enhance your skills in a culturally supportive environment, we encourage you to apply below.

Apply Here

Hachette Traineeship 2024

Opportunities

Hachette Traineeship 2024

This is an exciting opportunity to start your publishing career with one of Australia’s leading book publishers. 

Media Diversity Australia is calling for expressions of interest from anyone who has relevant industry experience, from bookselling to journalism, or who has relevant tertiary qualifications in Publishing, Communications, English, or Creative Writing. This is an exciting opportunity for a talented, enthusiastic, and highly organised individual to join Hachette Australia’s award-winning publishing team as a Publishing Assistant.  

  • This is a two-year, entry-level traineeship 
  • The traineeship includes full-time employment at Hachette, paired with mentorship from senior Hachette staff and external mentors provided by MDA 
  • Located at Hachette Australia’s Sydney CBD head office  
  • You will be working closely with all divisions and departments to ensure Hachette Australia’s authors and books are fully supported 
  • As the Publishing Assistant, you will be required to multitask and build effective working relationships with our wonderful authors, colleagues and external contacts, and assist the Heads of Children’s, Non-Fiction/Literary and Fiction lists with varied administrative tasks to ensure our books and authors are supported and published well. 
  • The successful applicant needs a genuine passion for reading, for how books are produced, and an ambition to have a career in the publishing industry.  

If you have excellent verbal and written communication skills, are organised and have meticulous attention to detail, are proficient in MS Office, embrace social media platforms and are aware of trends, and have a genuine love and enthusiasm for books and desire to learn about the market, this role is for you! 

 

HOW TO APPLY 

  • Applicants will come from a First Nations or culturally or linguistically diverse background or are interested in growing diversity in Australian publishing.
  • Please attach your Resume and Cover Letter 
  • Applications open on August 6 2024 at 9 am AEST and close at 5 pm AEST on September 6 2024.
  • Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to partake in an interview, however due to a high volume of applications received, we are unable to contact each applicant individually regarding the status of their application.
  • Questions regarding the application can be sent to suzy@mediadiversity.org.au 

If this sounds like you, please apply now.

Applicants can apply by clicking here

Summer Fellowships

Opportunities

Summer Fellowships 2024

GNI (Google News Initiative) Student Summer Fellowships, in partnership with Media Diversity Australia.

Open to final-year university and TAFE students OR 2023 graduates interested in a media career.

Media Diversity Australia is calling for expressions of interest from students in their final year or graduates who have completed a media and communications degree OR have experience in a news related role (e.g. a student newspaper) and are keen to get industry experience at a mainstream media outlet over the summer break.

  • The project aims to place final-year students or recent graduates in 14 media outlets nationwide.
  • The Fellowship recipients will receive a weekly stipend to cover living expenses for the Fellowship duration.
  • The Fellowship will take place for five weeks full-time: Monday, January 15, until Friday, February 16, 2024.
  • The Fellowship recipients will be mentored and supported by an MDA Mentor.
  • Fellowships will take place at one outlet for the duration of the placement.
  • Applicants can express interest in working at a specific outlet, but Media Diversity Australia and the host newsroom decide their placement.
HOST NEWSROOMS
ACT (Press Gallery)
-Australian Financial Review (*Alternate dates: Monday, Feb 5 – Friday, March 8)
-ABC News Politics (*Indigenous-identified placement)
-SBS News Politics (*Alternate dates TBC)
 
NSW
-10 News First
NITV (*Indigenous-identified placement)
-Sydney Morning Herald (audio and podcasts)
-ABC News (*Indigenous-identified placement)
 
VIC
-9 News Melbourne
-AAP (*Alternate dates: Monday, Jan 22 – Friday, Feb 23
-The Age (data journalism)
-Private Media: Crikey, Smart Company, The Mandarin
 
QLD
-The Courier-Mail
 
WA
-SevenWest Media: 7 News and The West Australian
 
SA
-ABC News
 
HOW TO APPLY
  • Applicants must be final-year university/TAFE students OR graduate in 2023.
  • Applicants will come from a First Nations or culturally or linguistically diverse background or are interested in growing diversity in Australia’s newsrooms.
  • You must address all of the following to be considered for an internship:
    In 500 words or less, please tell us a bit about you, any media industry experience you’ve had, what mediums you are most interested in working with, what stories are of interest to you, and why you should be an MDA Summer Fellow.
  • Please also attach a CV and one written reference.
  • Please attach any examples of published journalism, even if this is through your university or TAFE newsroom.
  • Applications open on Thursday, October 26 at 9 am AEST and close at 5 pm AEST on Wednesday, November 15. ENTRIES HAVE BEEN EXTENDED FOR INDIGENOUS-IDENTIFIED PLACEMENTS UNTIL 5 PM AEST ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7.
  • Shortlisted applicants will be contacted in late November for an interview process, and successful candidates announced in early-mid December.
  • Due to a high volume of applications received, we are unable to contact each applicant individually regarding the status of their application.
  • Questions regarding the Summer Fellowships can be sent to MDA’s Director Of Special Projects, Simone Amelia Jordan:
    simone@mediadiversityaustralia.org.

If this sounds like you, please apply now.

Applicants can apply by clicking here

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Media Pathways Program

Opportunities

Media Pathways Program

Media Diversity Australia, in collaboration with Western Sydney University, presents the MEDIA INDUSTRY PATHWAYS PROGRAM.

This dynamic series is designed to provide comprehensive support to culturally and linguistically diverse students, graduates, and job seekers in communications. The program aims to equip participants, especially those with refugee and asylum-seeker backgrounds, with the skills, confidence, connections, and experience necessary to thrive in the Australian media industry and pursue employment opportunities.

In September 2023, four evening sessions will be held at WSU’s Parramatta City Campus, showcasing an impressive lineup of renowned journalists, presenters, and media professionals. Prepare to be inspired and gain invaluable insights from these accomplished speakers as they share their expertise and experiences.

After completing the seminar series, selected participants will embark on internship placements (details forthcoming).

This program is limited to past and present Western Sydney University students.

[This program is now closed.]

Media Diversity Australia proudly upholds and promotes diversity, inclusion, and equity practices in media recruitment and workplace environments. This commitment is made possible through the generous support of our program sponsors, the Bennelong Foundation and Multicultural NSW.

Winter Fellowship 2023

Opportunities

Winter Fellowship 2023

Media Diversity Australia has joined forces with Weld Stories, a Sydney-based digital content agency committed to social impact storytelling, to offer a Winter Fellowship for one candidate to join Weld’s small team full-time across May and June 2023.  

  • The Winter Fellowship is scheduled to run from Monday, May 2023 until Friday, June 16.
  • The Fellowship recipient will be mentored and supported by an MDA Mentor.

THE SIX-WEEK PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE

  • Calls with Weld Stories clients
  • Concept development
  • Research and planning
  • Writing and editing
  • Pre-production and production
  • Distribution strategy
  • Briefing of designers
  • Reviewing edits
  • Delivery of assets
  • Developing and creating vibrant and relevant stories for MDA’s social channels
  • Competitive weekly stipend provided for the duration of the Fellowship

HOW TO APPLY

  • Applicants must have the right to work in Australia
  • Applicants will be from a First Nations or culturally and racially marginalised (CaRM) background
  • Applicants will preferably have experience working in new media or demonstrate strong writing or presentation skills
  • Applicants will ideally be available full-time for six weeks, however, scheduling flexibility can be discussed
  • You must address all of the following to be considered for this program:
  • In 500 words or less, please tell us about you, your media and communication experience, your leadership qualities and aspirations, and why you should be an MDA Winter Fellow.
  • Please attach a CV and at least one written reference.
  • Applications open on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 9 am AEDT and close on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 5 pm AEST.
  • The Fellowship winner will be announced in late April 2023 after a shortlist interview process.

Applications are now closed.

Political Fellowships

Opportunities

Political Fellowships

Three fellowships worth $15,000 each, that will take place during the federal election and will be Canberra-based for Australians under the age of 30, who are passionate about media, politics and diversity.

The project aims to place 12 journalism students at different mainstream media outlets.

Fellowships are available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, and Adelaide.

Media Diversity Australia is calling for expressions of interest from young Australians under the age of 30, who are passionate about media, politics, and diversity.

With the support of Google News Initiative, we have three fellowships worth $15 000 each, that will take place during the federal election and will be Canberra-based. 

  • -The purpose of the project is to place three young Australians in leading political bureaus, including time spent in Canberra’s Press Gallery, during the 2022 Federal Election.
  • The fellowship project will help address an obvious gap in the media: culturally diverse perspectives in the coverage of Australian federal politics. The fellowships will be a rare opportunity to work in the Press Gallery, which is often an accelerant for a young journalist’s career.
  • The six to eight-week fellowship will take place in the weeks leading up to the federal election.
  • The fellowship recipients will receive a weekly stipend of $772.60  to cover living expenses, plus a travel and accommodation allowance (where applicable for successful applicants who are not Canberra-based).
  • Fellowships will commence in early 2022 and the exact dates will be confirmed once the election is called.
  • Fellowships will take place at one major media outlet within the Press Gallery for the duration of the placement.
  • The fellowship recipients will be mentored and supported by an MDA project manager.
  • Training by Google News Initiative is also part of the fellowship.
 
WHO CAN APPLY
  • Applicants need to be under the age of 30 and able to demonstrate a keen interest in, and understanding of media, politics and diversity.
  • Applicants will come from a First Nations, culturally or linguistically diverse background, live with a disability or have an interest in growing diversity in Australia’s newsrooms.
  • Applicants do not need to have a tertiary qualification.
  • Applicants will need to have full working rights in Australia.
 
HOW TO APPLY
  • You must address all of the following to be considered for a fellowship: In 500 words or less, please tell us a bit about you, any media or politics experience you’ve had, why covering a federal election is beneficial for your career and why you should be chosen for a political fellowship.
  • Please also attach a CV and one written reference.
  • Please attach any examples of published journalism.
  • Applications open on Monday, 1 November 1 at 9 am AEST and close at 5 pm AEST on Friday, 26th November. Successful candidates will be announced in mid-December after an interview process. 

Applicants can apply by clicking here (Entries Closed). 

*Please note these fellowships are dependent on the COVID-19 situation and state and tertiary government health requirements.*

Women Of Colour Mentorships

Opportunities

Women Of Colour Mentorships

Mid-career women journalists of First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to undertake a 12-month program to help pave a pathway into leadership roles.

Media Diversity Australia is calling for expressions of interest from mid-career, women journalists of First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to undertake a 12-month program to help pave a pathway for them into leadership roles.

  • This program is designed to empower First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse women journalists and provide them with the requisite knowledge and skills to navigate climbing the ranks of editorial leadership.
  • The ten (10) Mentorships will be Australia-wide (two of the 10 successful Mentees will be University of Melbourne and Monash University alumni).
  • Mentees will undertake a rigorous selection criteria process based on skill set, experience, personality, cultural fit, and geographical location.
  • Once accepted, each applicant will be matched with the right Mentor.
  • MDA will facilitate multiple online meetings between Mentors and Mentees before commencing the 12-month Mentorship program to ensure a smooth onboarding process.
  • The Mentorships are scheduled to commence in mid-2022.
  • The Mentorship recipients will be mentored and supported by an MDA Project Manager.
  • Mentorships will take place with one mentor connected to one media outlet for the duration of the placement.

 THE 12-MONTH PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE

  • Multiple in-person sessions with their Mentor in their respective workplace.
  • Multiple online workshops with individual Mentors.
  • Multiple online workshops with all Mentors focusing on professional development, leadership skills, presentation skills, compelling storytelling, and insights into effective editorial processes.
  • An opportunity to attend and speak at an MDA networking event and/or be featured in MDA’s monthly newsletter.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Applicants must be early to mid-career journalists or media professionals.
  • Applicants will come from a First Nations or culturally or linguistically diverse background or have an interest in growing First Nations and cultural and linguistic diversity in Australia’s newsrooms (please note: the term “women of colour” denotes a  woman belonging to a racial group not categorised as white). 
  • You must address all of the following to be considered for this program: 
    In 500 words or less, please tell us a bit about you, your media industry experience, your leadership aspirations, and why you should be an MDA Mentee.
  • Please also attach a CV and at least one written reference.
  • Applications open on Friday, March 4, 2022, at 9 am AEDT and close on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at 5 pm AEST. 
  • Successful candidates will be announced in June 2022 after an interview process.

Applicants can apply by clicking here (Entries Closed). 

Chinese-Australian Journalism Secondment

Opportunities

Chinese-Australian Journalism Secondment

Early to mid-career Australians of Chinese heritage with experience or an interest in journalism to undertake an eight-week program working in mainstream newsrooms.

Media Diversity Australia is calling for expressions of interest from early to mid-career Australians of Chinese heritage with experience or an interest in working in journalism, to undertake an eight-week program working in mainstream newsrooms.

  • The program is designed to improve journalism coverage of Chinese communities in Australia, by increasing the number of journalists with strong Chinese cultural connections. 
  • It will provide Chinese-Australian professionals with the knowledge and skills to navigate climbing the ranks of editorial leadership, and mid-career Chinese-Australians working in other professions with flexible journalism work that may lead to a potential career pivot.
  • The three (3) secondments will take place in Australian major cities.
  • Secondees will undertake a rigorous selection criteria process based on skill set, experience, personality, cultural fit, and geographical location.
  • Once confirmed, each Secondee will be matched with a mainstream newsroom to arrange working hours that are mutually beneficial.
  • Any content produced by secondees and published by participating newsrooms will be free of the oversight or influence of any government agencies.
  • The secondments are scheduled to commence in September 2022.
  • The secondment recipients will be mentored and supported by an MDA Mentor.

THE EIGHT-WEEK PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE

  • Working in mainstream Australian newsrooms on weekdays, after hours, or on weekends in agreement with applicants and newsrooms.
  • Networking (virtual) sessions between secondees and Media Diversity Australia
  • Multiple check-ins with MDA mentors throughout the eight-week placement
  • “Getting to know you” profiles on MDA’s social media
  • Google News Training sessions
  • Opportunities to attend and speak at an MDA networking event and/or be featured in MDA’s monthly newsletter.
  • Competitive weekly stipend for the duration of the Secondment.

EXPECTED PROJECT OUTCOMES

  • Content produced by Secondees will be at the host newsroom’s discretion. Stories pitched by Secondees on China and geopolitical affairs and those affecting the Chinese-Australian community will be specially considered. 
  • Better relations between Chinese communities, community media and mainstream media outlets.
  • Improvement in the host newsroom’s access to the Chinese-Australian community.
  • Increased diversity in the host newsroom’s commentary and interview subjects on stories relevant to the diverse Chinese-Australian communities.
  • New pathways for community media journalists, professionals with strong writing and presentation skills, and interest in news and current affairs to enter the mainstream media with improved knowledge and understanding of mainstream media and journalism.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Applicants must have the right to work in Australia and provide evidence if requested.
  • Applicants will ideally have Chinese heritage
  • Applicants will preferably be proficient in Mandarin or Cantonese
  • Applicants will preferably have experience working in community media, new media or demonstrated strong writing or presentation skills
  • You must address all of the following to be considered for this program:
  • In 500 words or less, please tell us about you, your media and communication experience, your interest in China or Chinese diaspora story ideas, your leadership qualities and aspirations, and why you should be an MDA Secondee.
  • Please attach a CV and at least one written reference.
  • Applications open on Friday, July 1, 2022, at 9 am AEDT and close on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 5 pm AEST. 
  • Successful candidates will be announced in August 2022 after an interview process.

Applications now closed.

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