What’s Happening?
The Push for Better Foundation is inviting Australian secondary students to apply for its 2027 Student Ambassador program.
The initiative encourages young people to lead school activities that promote mental health awareness, physical fitness and community participation.
Students entering Years 10, 11 and 12 in 2027 can apply, with opportunities available to schools nationwide. At The Cathedral College in Rockhampton, student ambassador Jake Lucas has already helped bring the school community together through the challenge.
His experience highlights how student-led activities can encourage conversations about mental health while building leadership skills among young Australians.
Why It Matters
The program gives students opportunities to develop leadership skills outside traditional school roles, including captaincies and sporting positions.
Nicole Cikarela, CEO of The Push for Better Foundation, said the initiative helps students build confidence and connect with others.
“The Push-Up Challenge’s Student Ambassador program is an epic way for students to become a leader within their school, without following the traditional leadership route. Most often students are able to apply for roles like school captain, sports captain and house leader, but don’t always have an opportunity to bring in and lead other co-curricular initiatives. We’ve developed the Student Ambassador program to offer students leadership skills, mental health training, connection with other students from around the country, and a vehicle to engage the broader school community. They get to become their community’s leader in connection, and physical and mental fitness.”
Amberlee Nicholas, Mental Health Promotion Manager at The Push for Better Foundation, also highlighted the importance of student participation.
“Some of our most passionate and inspiring participants are students. Through the Student Ambassador Program, young people can build leadership skills, bring their peers together, spark conversations about mental health, and help create a positive and supportive culture at school.”
Local Impact
At The Cathedral College in Rockhampton, Jake Lucas became a Student Ambassador after several personal experiences motivated him to get involved.
Among them was the death of a family friend in 2024, which strengthened his commitment to raising mental health awareness.
“There were multiple things that influenced my decision to become a Student Ambassador. One thing was the chance to make an impact personally. By becoming a student ambassador I was given the opportunity to spread the message that The Push-Up Challenge stands for on a more personal level. Two, in 2024 A family friend tragically died by suicide, making him one of the 3307 push ups in this year’s challenge, which heavily influenced my decision to become an ambassador as I believe I was doing it for him as well. Three, the chance to lead, through the ambassadorship I was given the chance to lead the school in initiatives for The Push-Up Challenge to raise continued awareness.”
Following the school’s strong participation in 2026, Lucas hopes the wider college community will build on its achievements.
“By leading by example in 2026 I hope that I have encouraged the school to engage in mental health issues and problems from a different perspective. In 2026 The Cathedral College successfully raised over $11,325. As well as this we as a school banked over 824,851 push-ups, coming first in education in Australia for push-ups banked and 3rd overall, with over 600 participants. Through my effects I hope the community will be encouraged to break the records set this year and really emphasise the significance that this challenge can have on not only educating about the issues at hand but also bringing together the wider school community.”
Lucas also encouraged other Queensland students to consider applying, particularly those interested in leadership and mental health advocacy.
“Don’t Hesitate, It’s an experience to Lead, grow, educate and really thrive. This experience you will take with you even after your time as an ambassador concludes. This ambassadorship is a real opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and really make a lasting impact on their school community.”
By the Numbers
The Push-Up Challenge continues to attract widespread participation, with schools contributing to its national fundraising and mental health awareness efforts.
- 230,000 participants took part across Australia in 2026, completing 334 million push-ups over 23 days. Together, they raised more than $13.3 million for Lifeline, headspace and The Push for Better Foundation.
- More than 600 Student Ambassadors from 300 schools helped lead the 2025 challenge. Their efforts encouraged thousands of students nationwide to complete millions of push-ups.
- 24,851 push-ups were completed by The Cathedral College in Rockhampton during 2026. More than 600 participants helped raise over $11,325, placing the college first nationally among educational institutions and third overall for push-ups.
Zoom In
The free Student Ambassador program is funded by The Push for Better Foundation and provides practical support for participating students.
Successful applicants receive Mental Health Awareness training developed by a clinical psychologist, alongside strategies to improve their own mental fitness.
The program also includes exclusive merchandise, workshops and event resources to support mental health education within schools. Nicholas said ambassadors play an important role in encouraging students to take their wellbeing seriously.
“Student Ambassadors who bring The Push-Up Challenge to their school help put mental health on the agenda, encouraging their peers to be proactive in caring for their wellbeing, reducing stigma and supporting those who may be experiencing difficulties to seek help.”
One former Student Ambassador also described how leading the initiative benefited their own mental wellbeing.
“I loved being able to advocate for youth mental health and that by starting this initiative, I got to engage in mindful conversation, encourage others to take steps to improve their mental health and improve my mental health in the process.”
Zoom Out
Founded by Nick Hudson in Perth in 2017, The Push-Up Challenge began as a fitness challenge between four friends. It has since grown into an international mental health and fitness event, combining physical activity with education and fundraising.
The 2027 event will mark its eleventh year in Australia, fourth year in Canada and second year in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
Cikarela said the program’s influence extends beyond participating students, with families and teachers becoming involved in mental health conversations.
“The impact the Student Ambassador program has on schools is pretty phenomenal. Not only do the students become engaged in a month-long mental health and fitness campaign, so do their teachers, parents, friends and the broader school community. Each day of the Challenge they learn about mental health, and the push-ups become a talking point throughout the day. This means that one mental health fact every morning, read by one student, has the potential to be discussed with a whole range of people throughout the day, bringing everyone together in a fun way to learn important tips, tricks and tools for mental health. The flow on effect is massive!”
Nicholas said the foundation also hopes to build positive mental health habits among younger Australians.
“Last year we had over 600 Student Ambassadors from 300 schools lead thousands of students around the country in completing millions of push-ups. By instilling positive mental health attitudes and behaviours early in life, we can make a lasting difference to the mental health of young Australians.”
What To Look For Next?
Applications are open for students interested in joining the 2027 Student Ambassador program. The Push-Up Challenge will return in June 2027, with participants completing a set number of push-ups across three weeks.
Students interested in becoming ambassadors can find program details and application information through the official Push-Up Challenge website.
