National Mentoring Initiative
Connect, learn and lead.
This program pairs people from Australia to share experiences, perspective and knowledge in a supportive virtual environment.
The National Mentoring Initiative is part of the Future Drought Fund’s Communities Program.
Mentoring is about growing through connection - sharing knowledge, building trust and seeing challenges through fresh eyes.
What is the benefit of mentorship?
Mentorship helps you grow through genuine connection. It builds confidence, clarity and capability - not just in your goals, but in how you approach challenges, conversations and change. You’ll develop practical skills, expand your perspective and gain the support of someone who’s walked a different path.
Why do we need mentors?
Mentors play a powerful role in strengthening communities. They offer encouragement, share experience and help others find their footing during times of uncertainty. In rural, regional and remote Australia - where leadership is often informal and deeply local - mentoring helps build resilience, one relationship at a time.
What is the National Mentoring Initiative?
The National Mentoring Initiative is a flexible, 12-month virtual program designed to build leadership through connection and learning. Here’s what to expect:
12 mentoring sessions: Connect regularly with a matched mentor or mentee to support each other’s personal and professional goals.
Practical learning: Join online sessions that build your leadership, communication and resilience skills.
Tailored growth: Explore your focus areas and gain fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Real-world impact: Build the confidence to prepare for, adapt to and support your community – and others across rural, regional and remote Australia – in times of change.
Mentoring is a two-way path to insight, confidence and leadership.
What you’ll take away from the National Mentoring Initiative
Improve communication skills
Communication is the key to a successful mentoring relationship. It requires listening skills and the ability to give and ask for feedback.
Better self-awareness
Seeing yourself through the eyes of another person and exchanging feedback boosts your self-awareness. You'll understand more about your personality and behaviours.
Leadership skills
Challenge your understanding of what leadership is, your own leadership behaviours and get tips on how you can create change and bring others along.
Become more confident
Equipped with self-awareness and communication skills, you'll be more confident about achieving your own goals and guiding others towards setting and achieving their own.
Matched by experts
When you apply for the National Mentoring Initiative, you’ll complete a short online form outlining your experience, connection to rural communities, focus areas and development goals. After a brief selection interview, our team will carefully match you with someone whose strengths and interests complement your own – ensuring a meaningful and supportive mentoring partnership.
Program information
Eligibility
Mentoring is open to individuals over the age of 18 who are connected to rural, regional or remote Australia.
Commitment
12 month program including:
- Regular mentor/mentee check ins
- Online learning sessions and guest speakers.
Investment
Participation in this program is funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
Delivery mode
All learning sessions delivered online.
Mentor/mentee sessions can be done face to face, online or via phone.
Dates
12th November 2025 - applications close
December 2025 - participant onboarding
2 February 2026 - program commencement
27 November 2026 - program finish
Apply
Applications are now open.
Application window has been extended until 12th November 2025.
Testimonials
"This is so exciting to hear about the new national mentoring program and is such a great opportunity for people in our rural community."
I had the most amazing 6 months doing the Drought Resilience Mentoring Program with ARLF this year as a Mentee. My Mentor Tess is one of the most incredible & inspiring ladies I have ever met and is now stuck with me for life. We have stayed in touch and just recently I have needed some guidance and she was more than happy to help me and spent time helping me work through what I needed. Doing the program with Tess and the webinar series included with the program helped me build on my professional & personal development, helping me strive for more and work on being the leader I hope to be.
"I have never had anybody say no"
As a mentor, I might not always know the answer to a question, but I can find it over a couple of emails. I have never had anybody [from my network] say no, and that’s the beauty. Students often think they couldn’t possibly approach someone cold..
"He was there to guide me."
Working with [my mentor] meant I wasn’t doing things by trial and error. He was there to guide me. It was really compound learning from someone else’s experience.
"I am continually delighted"
What I really enjoy about mentoring is the richness that comes with the relationship as trust and rapport builds and you start to dig a bit deeper. I am continually delighted to discover new skill sets and different perspectives, which is why I leave the door open to an ongoing relationship.
"We have the opportunity now to make positive change"
Mentor relationships are a valuable part of not only business, but in life in general. Drought affects everyone at some point, it’s up to us to be better prepared for drought when it occurs. We have the opportunity now to make positive change and support each other into the future.
"The most important advice I can offer in a mentoring relationship is have a big vision for your future..."
...and be courageous enough to discuss it with the right people that can help give you clarity and insight and build up connections to help you get there.
"Knowing that [my mentor] had the viticulture background gave me confidence that she would understand orchards and that was really helpful."
I knew the chances of being matched with a nut expert would be pretty slim, but it was great to have the perspective from a similar but different background.
"It’s not just property owners or pastoralists who are affected by drought, it’s everybody in the community."
I think a lot of the time it’s the people from out of town, who come into Winton to buy goods and services, that really support the town during tough times.
"At the time, I felt isolated because I wasn’t able to use the knowledge and skills that I had developed from my university days."
While I’m involved with different committees in my amazing community, I didn’t feel I was contributing enough. I saw this program as an opportunity to become more active and provide further support.
"We live in the Riverland, and the only thing that keeps us alive is the Murray system."
We’ve had minimal water go through in recent years and that puts a big strain on the system. A lot of people don’t understand that the weather systems are changing, massive storms go through, crop damage has been part of it. It’s about adapting, but farmers are good at that.
Tried and trusted across Australia
This mentoring model has already supported hundreds of people across rural, regional and remote Australia — building confidence, connection and capability in the face of change.
Backed by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and the Future Drought Fund, this is a proven approach that delivers lasting impact.
Our partners include
Enquire Now
Express your interest in the National Mentoring Initiative by completing this form.
This is step one.
Once submitted, we’ll send you the full application form by email.
Frequently asked questions
A full list of FAQs related to the Future Drought Fund’s Communities Program can be found here.