TA Fellowship Program
A national mentoring and leadership program for transport professionals with approximately 8 to 15 years’ experience who are ready to broaden their influence and take the next step in their careers.
You will gain
- one-to-one mentoring with a senior industry leader
- leadership and career development
- access to a cohort of peers across Australia and New Zealand
- ‘Golden ticket’ to Transport Australia events in your home state
- exposure to different perspectives across the transport system
- opportunities to contribute ideas to the industry
- stronger connections across organisations, disciplines and jurisdictions
CASE STUDY
Watch the video and read the story: 2023 Fellows whose research became a national digital portal, now rolling out across Brisbane’s Olympic build.
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
HOW IT WORKS
Who the program is for
Applicants should:
- have approximately 8 to 15 years’ professional experience
- be working at manager level or have comparable responsibility and influence
- demonstrate strong leadership potential
- be employed by a Transport Australia member organisation
- have employer support to participate
- be willing to contribute actively throughout the year
The Fellowship is a professional mentoring and leadership program, not an academic fellowship.
Gender diversity
TA recognises the need for gender equality across the industry. Gender diversity will be reflected in the selection process.
What the program includes
- Matching with a senior industry mentor, generally in the Fellow’s home state
- Regular one-to-one mentoring across the year
- National Fellow networking and development activities
- Engagement with Transport Australia members and industry leaders
- Participation in a group policy or industry project
- Opportunities to present, contribute and build industry visibility
- Connection with the Fellowship alumni network
What makes a strong candidate
Strong applicants will demonstrate:
- leadership potential
- a clear reason for applying now
- commitment to the future of transport
- openness to mentoring, feedback and challenge
- the ability to apply their learning
- a willingness to contribute to the Fellowship cohort
- a perspective or experience that will add value to the group
Minimum commitment
- The Program runs for 12 months with a new Fellows intake each November.
- Successful applicants commence the Program with a two-day induction workshop and dinner.
- On-going monthly (1-2 hour) mentoring sessions.
- A two-day mid-year workshop and the announcement of the Group Policy Project.
- Project presentations at end of year workshop and dinner.
Application process
- Confirm that your organisation is a Transport Australia member.
- Discuss the opportunity with your manager.
- Review the eligibility and selection criteria.
- Prepare your written responses.
- Submit the online application before the closing date.
- Transport Australia and the Future Leaders Committee assesses applications.
- Successful applicants and their employers are notified.
- Mentor matching begins.
Key dates
- Applications open Monday 3 August 2026
- Information session Tuesday 11 August 2026
- Applications close Friday 4 September 2026
- Candidates notified October 2026
- Program commencement December 2026
Frequently asked questions
What counts as 8 to 15 years’ experience?
This is a guide rather than a strict cut-off. The Fellowship is designed for professionals at a career stage where they are taking on greater responsibility and are likely to benefit from senior mentoring, national connections and leadership development.
Can I apply if I do not manage staff?
Yes. Applicants do not need to have direct reports. Transport Australia will consider equivalent experience, responsibility, influence and leadership potential.
Can previous applicants apply again?
Yes. Previous applicants are welcome to reapply.
Are regional candidates eligible?
Yes. Applications are encouraged from eligible professionals across metropolitan and regional Australia.
Is travel required?
Yes. Fellows are expected to attend key in-person activities during the program year.
Who pays for travel?
Transport Australia covers hotel accommodation for Fellows travelling from outside the host city. The Fellow’s employer is responsible for flight and other transport costs.
Are there program fees?
Yes. The program fee is $10,000 plus GST, paid by the Fellow’s member organisation.
How are Mentors selected and matched?
Transport Australia and the Future Leaders Committee select and match Mentors based on each Fellow’s experience, goals, development needs and location.
Can an organisation nominate more than one candidate?
Absolutely. Member organisations may support multiple applications. Each candidate will be assessed individually against the Fellowship selection criteria.
2027 FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION
Application form
The 2025 Fellowship cohort began their journey under Roads Australia, exploring one of the industry’s most important challenges: road safety.
Across the year, Fellows worked together to develop practical research projects and presented their findings at the end-of-year workshop in November, joined by the incoming 2026 cohort.
Learn more about the 2025 Fellows, their research and the ideas they developed to help improve safety across Australia’s road network.
