Australian of the Year

At just 18 years old, Jemma Rule was elected as the youngest-ever director of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition and has quickly become a national voice for young people. Now chair of the board, Jemma leads the peak body representing more than 4.7 million young Australians.  

A proud Māori-Australian, Jemma co-founded Pacific Youth Voice Australia to strengthen advocacy and connection among Pacific young people. Her leadership extends globally as a curator and ‘global shaper’ with the World Economic Forum, and locally as vice president of the ANU Pasifika Student Association.  

Jemma has shaped policy and social equity initiatives through Plan International Australia, Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT, the ANU Students’ Association, ANU Queer* Department and the Australian Government’s Prevention of Gender-Based Violence Youth Advisory Group.  

Drawing on her lived experience, Jemma champions inclusive decision-making and mentors young people to lead with confidence, compassion and purpose.