ACON's Facilitator Training 2026
ACON’s Facilitator Training is back for 2026!
ACON’s First Nations Health, Greater Western Sydney and Peer Education Programs are designed by, and are for LGBTQ+ communities. We are on the lookout for volunteer facilitators to help us deliver our workshops, forums and events.
The programs we are recruiting for
First Nations Health Project (LGBTQ+)
We are seeking Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander LGBTQ+ community members, of any age.
This project is grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing. Our workshops are peer and community-led, and prioritise cultural safety, self-determination and connection to Country.
This project delivers LGBTQA+ Health Relationships Workshops for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, which cover topics including communication, consent, sex, boundary setting and conflict resolution.
Greater Western Sydney (LGBTQ+)
We are seeking LGBTQ+ community members who are from or have a connection to Greater Western Sydney, of any age.
Our Greater Western Sydney programs are place-based and shaped by the diverse communities who live and work in the region. We recognise the cultural, linguistic, faith and lived experience diversity of Greater Western Sydney, and value peer-facilitators who bring local knowledge, strong community connections, and an understanding of the unique challenges and strengths of their communities.
This project delivers a range of workshops and group programs designed to support LGBTQ+ people living in Greater Western Sydney. This includes Starting Out West which focuses on identity, confidence, connection, wellbeing, and community support.
SPARK (GBQMSM 18-26)
We are seeking Gay, Bi+, and Queer Men (cis and trans), aged 18-26 years old.
SPARK is peer-led, youth-centred and sex-positive. The program is designed with young Gay, Bi+ and Queer men at its core, valuing lived experience, cultural diversity and different pathways into adulthood. Workshops create a judgement-free space where participants can explore identity, pleasure, relationships and wellbeing in a safe and supportive space.
This project delivers a series of workshops throughout the year, designed specifically for young Gay, Bi+ and Queer men (cis and trans). Sessions focus on building confidence, connection, communication skills, sexual health, relationships, and navigating life as a young LGBTQ+ person.
What is a facilitator?
Our volunteer facilitators are the foundation of our peer-led events, who support us by taking on the role of ‘facilitator’ in our community-created workshops. Facilitators create a safe and supportive space for our community to share their thoughts, experiences and ideas, and support our community to access tailored, non-judgmental sexual health information. Facilitators are supported to work in culturally safe, respectful and community-led ways, and are never expected to be experts - only to bring care, curiosity and a commitment to learning.
Our facilitators are a community of passionate and committed people who help us to make a real difference in the lives of our community.
So, if you love meeting new people, are keen to give back to your community, and want to learn important skills to support your personal and professional development, please register below as we would love to connect with you!
Click here to read the full position description
What is Facilitator Training?
Our 5-day facilitator training brings together a group of around 20 passionate people to train in the art of facilitation and community empowerment.
Our training will provide you with:
Advanced facilitation skills – This includes active listening, non-judgemental communication, managing complex group dynamics, ways to empower community to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing, as well as much more!
New knowledge and experiences – Our training brings together incredible speakers from a range of lived and professional experiences as we explore important subjects such as sexual health, living with HIV, racism and cultural safety, trans health and wellbeing, alcohol and other drugs, as well as many other topics relevant to our community.
Cultural safety and reflective practice – including working respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, culturally diverse communities, and understanding how place, identity and power shape facilitation.
Make new LGBTQ+ friends and join a community of care! – Facilitator training is an incredible way to meet, socialise, and connect, making lifelong friends.
The opportunity to share and learn about the lived experiences of yourself and others – At the core of being a facilitator is being able to connect with others through our shared lived experiences. Our facilitator training provides a unique opportunity to connect with your community at a deeper level.
Registration is essential to attend our facilitator training, so don’t forget to sign up!
What happens after training?
After completing our training and being signed off as ready to facilitate, you will be an official ACON peer facilitator! (Yay!)
Our volunteer facilitators support our projects by:
Being responsible for collaborating with fellow facilitators to run community-designed workshops and sessions that explore topics such as identity, sexuality, consent, sexual health, relationships and wellbeing, and other topics that are important to our communities.
Supporting ACON to design, run and improve the workshops and forums we run throughout the year.
Facilitating at least one workshop in a calendar year. (A workshop runs for 3-4 hours on a weeknight, once a week for four weeks).
Experiencing ongoing support to run fun and community-centred workshops.
Training Dates:
Please note that all five dates are compulsory due to the extensive training required for our Workshop Facilitators.
Saturday 15 August 2026, 10am – 5pm,
Sunday 16 August 2026, 10am – 5pm,
Saturday 22 August 2026, 10am – 5pm,
Sunday 23 August 2026, 10am – 5pm,
Saturday 29 August 2026, 10am – 5pm.
Where: ACON – 414 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW (3 minutes’ walk from Central Station).
Cost: FREE! Lunch is included on all training dates.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our team at youth@acon.org.au.
Applications close: Midnight Sunday 14 June 2026
Next Steps
Successful applicants will be contacted by our team to arrange a 30-minute interview, in-person at our Surry Hills office.
All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by 30th June 2026.
To register your expression of interest and apply, complete the registration form or click this link
