Australian of the Year

Laura Prince turned a childhood marked by financial hardship and housing instability into a lifelong dedication to youth education and advocacy. Growing up as a young carer for two siblings with significant disabilities, Laura experienced first-hand how severe medical and financial pressures impact a child's educational journey.  

Today, Laura channels those challenges into tangible community leadership. While studying early childhood and primary education, Laura serves as a vital mentor at the Daydream Machine STEM program. There, she supports and advocates for neurodivergent youth to feel safe, capable, and included.  

Nationally, Laura is a prominent ambassador for The Smith Family's Learning for Life program – which supported her own education, has given back to local young carer programs and has been a voice for the End Child Poverty campaign. Laura met with parliamentarians at Parliament House to champion rights and opportunities for thousands of disadvantaged children across Australia.