Janice Petersen

From the small lounge room of her childhood home, where news bulletins played like a daily ritual, to the bright lights of a prime-time national news desk, Janice Petersen’s journey has been defined by grit, creativity, and cultural pride.

Born to South African parents and raised on the Central Coast, Janice grew up as the only person of colour at her school, an experience that sparked a lifelong commitment to amplifying diverse voices.

“I had the experience of growing up in Australia and all the magic and beauty of that. My family fled apartheid in the 70’s in the hope that we would be raised in a country where we could be free and where we could be our selves - full human beings with human rights and our dignity intact.” 

From a young age, Janice was drawn to storytelling. Yet when she looked to the screen, she rarely saw people who reflected her culture or experiences. Determined to change that narrative, she pursued a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Newcastle, where she threw herself into student life serving as Vice President of the Newcastle University Students’ Association (NUSA) and sharpening her voice as a journalist for the student magazine Opus.

“It was fun to see what resonated with people and to learn the craft of putting together a story, calling people and asking them to set time aside to talk to some kid from Newcastle and then seeing it all in print! The University played a huge role in where I am today. If I had not done what I did with Opus, I would not be reading a national news bulletin every single night.” 

After graduating, Janice freelanced with SBS before her talent and determination secured her a place in the highly competitive ABC journalism cadetship program in 2002. Immersed in fast-paced newsrooms, she honed her craft across every aspect of journalism, from reporting in the field to producing and presenting on air. With several years of newsroom experience, Janice returned to SBS in 2006. By 2008, she was appointed a Presenter of SBS World News, cementing her place as a trusted and familiar face in households nationwide.

“When I come to work at SBS, the stories I share are some of the biggest stories of the day, and they are some of the smallest stories – they are the lived experience of people all over the world that I hope reveal our shared humanity. I love that SBS shines a light on the vulnerable, the marginalised and people who deserve a place in the spotlight.” 

Janice’s influence is felt far beyond the newsroom. A passionate advocate for multiculturalism and inclusivity, she uses her platform to amplify underrepresented voices and ensure the media reflects the true diversity of the community.  Her work on the groundbreaking documentary series Go Back to Where You Came From brought the realities of immigration and asylum seekers into Australian living rooms, challenging audiences to see the human stories behind the headlines, sparking national conversations, and fostering a deeper understanding of cultural diversity.

“One of the most incredible stories I’ve had from a viewer was an Afghan man, who told me that when he first came to Australia he was placed in quite a rural and remote community so he didn’t see much diversity but when he switched on the TV at night, he saw me reading the news and by seeing a diverse face on camera, he felt like this was a country where he could follow his dreams. I could not fathom the impact that just my presence on camera could have on someone.” 

Beyond television, Janice has further championed representation through high-profile events such as the Premier’s Harmony Dinner, the ANU Crawford Leadership Forum, and the Australian Open Inspirational Series. She also engages directly with communities via multicultural health forums, local events, and women’s empowerment initiatives to help people recognise their worth, embrace their value, and discover the power of their own voice.

Janice’s career is defined by moments that have shaped public conversation. From anchoring live coverage of major world events to telling stories that reveal the human experiences behind the headlines, she has shown that journalism is about more than reporting facts, it’s about creating understanding and connection.

“It is so important that we reflect the people we serve, and the people we serve are the Australian public. I consider that a gift, and I hold dear to me that I have a part in telling the story of us.”