The Victorian Young Liberals run 48-hour policy hackathons, place 25 interns in Parliament each year and boast 1,400 student members across five universities.
Eligibility and how to join
The Victorian Young Liberals represent the future of the Liberal Party, providing a platform for young Australians to engage in political discourse, develop leadership skills, and build meaningful careers in public service and politics.
Open to members aged 16-30; discounted fee $40 per year. Applicants under 18 need guardian consent; all members complete Working-with-Children Check for election-day volunteering. Young Liberal State President sits on Administrative Committee with full voting rights.
Membership eligibility and benefits
Young Liberal Membership Process
Unique representation structure
Young Liberals enjoy exceptional representation within the party structure:
- Administrative Committee seat: Young Liberal State President sits with full voting rights
- State Council delegates: Guaranteed representation at annual party conference
- Policy committee participation: Input into all six standing Policy Fora
- Preselection representation: Young Liberal delegates in all candidate selections
- Federal Council delegation: Representatives to national party governance
Age transition and alumni network
The organization manages transitions as members age:
- Graduate membership: 30+ alumni can maintain connections through special category
- Mentoring roles: Alumni often return as mentors and guest speakers
- Career networking: Professional connections span business, politics, and public service
- Ongoing engagement: Former members encouraged to join senior party roles
Young Liberal membership growth 2019-2025
Campus clubs & policy hackathons
The Young Liberals maintain an active presence across Victoria's major universities, combining traditional political activities with innovative programs that appeal to digitally-native students.
Active clubs at Melbourne, Monash, Deakin, La Trobe and RMIT—total 1,400 student members. Annual 48-hour 'Hack 4 Australia' develops policy briefs; 2024 winner on AI in schools adopted into party platform. Clubs host 'Blue Blitz' stalls during O-Week, recruiting 300+ members in 2025.
Campus club activities
Each university club maintains a year-round program of activities:
Regular Programming
Special Events
The 'Hack 4 Australia' innovation
The annual policy hackathon represents innovative engagement with complex policy challenges:
- 48-hour format: Teams work intensively to develop comprehensive policy proposals
- Real-world problems: Challenges sourced from government departments and business
- Multidisciplinary teams: Students from different faculties collaborate
- Expert mentoring: Industry professionals and MPs provide guidance
- Implementation pathway: Winning proposals considered for party platform
- Prize structure: $5,000 first prize plus internship opportunities
2024 hackathon success story
The 2024 winning proposal on AI in schools demonstrates the program's impact:
- Problem identification: Safe and effective AI integration in education
- Solution development: Comprehensive framework for AI governance in schools
- Policy adoption: Incorporated into Liberal Party education platform
- Media coverage: Featured in major newspapers and education journals
- Implementation planning: Department of Education consultation on proposal
Recruitment and engagement
Campus clubs employ modern recruitment strategies:
- 'Blue Blitz' O-Week: High-visibility stalls during orientation week
- Digital campaigns: Instagram and TikTok content targeting students
- Issue-based events: Forums on topics relevant to student concerns
- Guest speakers: High-profile politicians and business leaders
- Social activities: BBQs, trivia nights, and informal gatherings
Career pathways: internships and advisers
The Young Liberals provide structured pathways into political careers, recognizing that early exposure to professional politics creates the next generation of leaders and policy makers.
Legislative Assembly internship program
Legislative Assembly intern scheme places 25 Young Liberals a year in MP offices (12-week paid placements). 'Pipeline' program fast-tracks high performers into electorate officer roles—17 graduates since 2020. Corporate-partner networking nights with PwC, NAB and Rio Tinto expose members to private-sector careers.
Intern-to-staffer conversion rate 2020-2024
Internship program structure
The parliamentary internship program provides comprehensive political education:
- Duration: 12 weeks, three days per week during university semester
- Compensation: $27 per hour (Clerks Agreement rate)
- Placement variety: Both government and opposition MP offices
- Project work: Independent research projects on policy issues
- Mentoring: Regular supervision and career guidance
- Networking: Access to parliamentary functions and committee meetings
The 'Pipeline' program
High-performing interns can access fast-track career development:
- Advanced training: Additional workshops on electoral politics and public administration
- Policy projects: Lead research on complex policy development
- Media training: Preparation for communications roles
- Campaign experience: Coordination roles in election campaigns
- Job placement: Priority consideration for electorate officer positions
- Leadership development: Preparation for senior political roles
Corporate partnership program
Regular networking events with major corporations provide alternative career paths:
Partner Organizations
- • PwC: Management consulting and professional services
- • NAB: Banking, finance, and business development
- • Rio Tinto: Mining, resources, and project management
- • Deloitte: Strategy consulting and government advisory
- • Ernst & Young: Public policy and economics consulting
Networking Opportunities
- • Quarterly corporate networking events
- • Summer internship programs
- • Graduate recruitment information sessions
- • Mentoring programs with senior executives
- • Industry briefings on policy developments
Alumni success stories
Young Liberal alumni have achieved success across various sectors:
- Political careers: Current MPs, ministerial advisers, and campaign managers
- Public service: Senior positions in government departments and agencies
- Business leadership: Executive roles in major corporations
- Legal profession: Barristers, judges, and legal academics
- Media and communications: Journalists, commentators, and PR executives
- Academia: University professors and policy researchers
Young Liberal Programs
The Victorian Young Liberals represent a dynamic and growing movement that combines traditional political engagement with innovative approaches to policy development and career preparation. Through campus clubs, hackathons, internships, and networking opportunities, the organization provides comprehensive pathways for young Australians to engage meaningfully in politics and public service.
The organization's success in growing membership, developing leaders, and influencing policy demonstrates the vital role young people play in shaping Victoria's political future. Whether pursuing careers in politics, business, or public service, Young Liberal members gain invaluable experience and connections that serve them throughout their professional lives.
Interested in joining? Learn more about Liberal Party membership or explore campaign volunteer opportunities.