Common Advocacy Roles
- Support Advocate: assisting individuals with navigating systems like NDIS, Centrelink or healthcare.
- Disability Advocate: empowering people with disability through rights-based support.
- Mental Health Advocate: supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
- Health & Patient Advocate: helping patients understand care options and communicate needs.
- Legal Support Advocate: providing help through tribunals, complaints and legal processes.
- Policy or Systemic Advocate: influencing laws, policies and systemic structures.
- Environmental Advocate: working on conservation, climate justice or sustainability campaigns.
- Community Advocate: facilitating community empowerment and collective action.
Key Skills for Advocacy Work
- communication and listening skills
- understanding rights and legislation
- writing reports, notes and evidence summaries
- community engagement and collaboration
- trauma-informed and person-centred practice
- cultural safety and humility
- conflict resolution and de-escalation
Where Advocacy Roles Exist
- disability advocacy organisations
- community legal centres
- mental health services
- aged care and elder rights organisations
- youth and family support services
- environmental and climate justice organisations
- healthcare systems and hospitals
- multicultural and refugee support organisations
How to Get Started in Advocacy
- volunteer with local advocacy or community groups
- attend advocacy events, training or workshops
- study community services, law, social work or health
- build communication and note-taking skills
- participate in campaigns or community organising
- seek entry-level roles such as intake worker or support officer
- keep a portfolio of your advocacy experiences and achievements
Quick Summary
- Advocacy careers exist across many sectors.
- Strong communication, empathy and system knowledge are essential.
- You can begin through volunteering, training and entry-level roles.