Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship

The scholarship is open to eligible permanent, temporary and casual teachers and school leaders. Specific criteria is dependent on an applicant's employment status. Applicants will need to check the eligibility criteria to find out if they meet the requirements to apply.

Approved teachers with a department recognised qualification in inclusive/special education may be eligible to apply to specialise in the area of deaf and hard of hearing or blind and low vision.

Yes, if an itinerant teacher, hearing or vision, meets the eligibility criteria for the Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship for the generalist inclusive/special education teaching codes, they can apply.

Yes, applicants who have a 'flagged status' for inclusive/special education are eligible to apply for an Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship.

Yes, however an applicant must still hold a current permanent approval to teach and be prepared to accept an appointment to a school within the nominated school education areas at the completion of their studies.

If an applicant has relinquished their school-based position, they must still hold a current permanent approval to teach and be prepared to accept an appointment to a school within the nominated school education areas at the completion of their studies.

Please note that applicants will be asked to nominate their school education areas in the scholarship application form.

If an applicant holds a casual approval to teach following separation they will need to reapply for a permanent approval to teach and be granted this, to be eligible for a scholarship.

Yes, if an applicant is currently self-funding either their master’s degree or graduate diploma and are successful in their scholarship application they will be sponsored for their enrolled subjects commencing Semester/Session/Trimester 1, 2027. The scholarship recipient will receive a pro-rata amount for their training allowance, determined by the number of subjects they have left to study.

The department will not provide retrospective payments for subjects previously self-funded.

If an applicant is already the recipient of a scholarship or sponsorship for inclusive/special education, they will not be eligible to apply for an Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship. Please contact the Scholarships and Employment Programs Team if any clarification is required.

Successful applicants are required to sign a Scholarship Agreement with the department, committing them to:

1. complete a master's degree in inclusive/special education, a master's degree specialising in the area of deaf and hard of hearing or blind and low vision, or a graduate diploma in inclusive/special education within 2 years
2. remain in the department's employment for at least 3 years as a permanent full-time teacher following the completion of their studies.

To apply for the Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship Program, an applicant will need to:

• submit the online application form through IworkforNSW. During the application period an ‘Apply now’ button will be available on the Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship webpage.

• email the principal's supporting statement to their principal and request that they complete it electronically and email it back to them.

• email the referee’s supporting statement to one referee and request that they complete it electronically and email it back to them.

Outside the application period, applicants are encouraged to subscribe to the mailing list to be notified when applications open.

Once applications are open, an applicant should submit their application as soon as it is completed and before the specified closing date.

No, incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

An applicant will need to provide the following supporting documentation:

• evidence of any non NSW Department of Education teaching experience listed on the application in the form of a statement of service from an employer stating the period of employment, number of teaching days and any leave without pay
• a current principal’s supporting statement on the template provided
• a referee’s supporting statement on the template provided
• evidence of enrolment (once available) in a recognised postgraduate master’s degree or graduate diploma program. It is preferred that applicants enrol in a recognised master's degree or graduate diploma program and present this evidence with their application for the scholarship. It is suggested that applicants liaise with their university to confirm the final date for withdrawal without financial penalty, should their application for the scholarship be unsuccessful
  
• a photo identity card issued by the Australian Government or a state or territory government (this may take the form of a government issued occupational licence or driver's licence).

As part of the application process, applicants will be asked to provide a supporting statement from their current principal along with one other supporting statement from a supervisor or colleague.

A principal may request a delegate to complete the Principal’s Supporting Statement, however both delegate and principal must co-sign the form.

If a principal has completed the Principal’s Supporting Statement, a delegate isn’t required to counter sign.

If an applicant is unable to gain a principal’s endorsement they may provide a supporting statement from their most recent supervising stage leader or head teacher. The Scholarships and Employment Programs Team in the School Workforce Directorate may seek further information if the application progresses.

A selection panel will consider all applications shortly after the closing date. Scholarship applicants who are shortlisted will be invited to attend an online interview to identify their capabilities, key knowledge areas and personal attributes to determine their suitability.

Invitations to attend an interview will be sent via email from a third-party provider and not a department email address. Applicants should ensure they check the email address they provided in their application for the interview invitation.

Yes. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified of the outcome via email once the selection process is complete. If an applicant changes their contact details after the closing date, they are requested to email their updated contact details to the Scholarships and Employment Programs team at sponsoredtraining@det.nsw.edu.au.

Yes, if an applicant would like feedback on their application, they are encouraged to contact the department's Scholarships and Employment Programs team at sponsoredtraining@det.nsw.edu.au.

Scholarship recipients have up to 2 years to complete their master's degree or graduate diploma under the scholarship. Each university may have additional completion requirements.

Inclusive Practice in Education applicants need to enrol in either a:

• recognised master's degree in inclusive/special education
• master's degree with a specialisation in the area of deaf and hard of hearing or blind and low vision
• graduate diploma in inclusive/special education.

A list of universities that offer recognised courses can be found below. Please note that for a course to be recognised it must include a practicum. The list below is not exhaustive and not all programs available at the university will be recognised by the department.

Please contact 1300 300 634 or email sponsoredtraining@det.nsw.edu.au to confirm if a degree or graduate diploma is a recognised inclusive/special education qualification or for any program questions or inquiries.

Universities may offer programs which haven’t previously been assessed by the department. For a preferred program of study to be considered, please provide a full course outline for consideration by the department.

The following universities offer a recognised master's degree in inclusive/special education:

• Australian Catholic University
• Charles Sturt University
• Deakin University
• Flinders University
• University of Melbourne
• University of Newcastle
• University of New South Wales
• University of Sydney
• University of Wollongong
• Western Sydney University

The following universities offer a recognised master's degree with specialisation in the area of deaf and hard of hearing or blind and low vision:

• Macquarie University
• University of Newcastle
• University of Melbourne

Scholars are required to undertake a practicum in order to meet the requirements of their scholarship and be eligible to receive a permanent role as a specialist educator.

Practicums are not required to occur in specific settings. Practicums must be between 10-20 days to meet department requirements, but specifics will be set by the university. The department encourages applicants to contact universities to find out exactly what is expected.

The department recommends that applicants seek to study through a university where they are not only gaining a qualification but where they are able to strengthen their knowledge through relevant practical experience. This is where practicums in a range of settings would be valuable including mainstream, support unit/class or school for specific purposes (SSP).

The total maximum amount payable to recipients of the scholarship is $23,000 (subject to tax), which includes 2 annual training allowance payments up to $10,000 (subject to tax) over a maximum of 2 years and a $3,000 (subject to tax) completion allowance. These allowances will be paid via electronic funds transfer (EFT) directly into a scholar's nominated bank account.

Scholars will receive the first training allowance payment once their scholarship is finalised and the semester census date has passed, upon receipt of evidence of their enrolment into postgraduate studies. Subsequent training allowance payments will require scholars to provide a copy of their results for the previous semester.

Scholars will not receive a scholarship payment for subjects completed prior to the commencement date of their scholarship.

Scholarship funds will be included alongside a scholar's regular pay and are subject to tax. Scholars will be eligible to receive the full $23,000 (subject to tax) if they are completing a minimum of 8 subjects studied while on scholarship. If a scholar does not complete a minimum of 8 subjects, they will be paid a pro-rata amount, that being $2,500 (subject to tax) per subject studied while on scholarship.

The department will not provide an allowance for subjects previously failed and reattempted, or subjects for which a scholar receives advanced standing or academic credit.

The maximum two $10,000 annual training allowances and $3,000 completion allowance payable to scholars will be paid in the regular pay cycle and taxed accordingly.

Any money paid to a scholar by the department must be declared as assessable income on annual income tax returns. Scholars will have tax withheld from their annual training allowance and completion allowance. HECS-HELP repayments may also be withheld. If a scholar has any taxation questions it is recommended that they seek independent financial and/or taxation advice.

It should be noted that if a scholar withdraws from the scholarship program or breaches the terms and conditions of their scholarship agreement and incurs a liability, that the amount repayable is calculated based on the gross amount paid under the scholarship agreement.

No, scholars will receive up to $23,000 (subject to tax) throughout their training, paid in instalments, dependent on their study pattern and on receipt of their semester enrolment advice following the relevant census date. Funds will be paid to scholars alongside their regular pay and will be taxed.

Scholarship training allowance payments for enrolled subjects will be made after the university census date and therefore scholars will need to follow their university’s directions as to when course fees are payable.

Please note, scholars will need to cover any additional out-of-pocket expenses, and some courses may cost more than the maximum $23,000 (subject to tax) provided by the scholarship.

The total amount paid by the department for this scholarship program is capped at $23,000 (subject to tax).

The department will not pay for any subject for which a scholar receives advanced standing for or academic credit granted.

Scholarship recipients who are permanent teachers can apply for up to 8 days of paid study leave per academic year (study leave is granted on a pro-rata basis for part-time employees or for those who are studying for one semester only in the academic year).

The study leave day(s) must be approved by a scholar's principal. The principal can request relief funds be reimbursed to the school if a casual teacher was employed to replace a scholar for the day(s). Teachers will retain their full salary while on study leave. A scholar may choose to access the available study leave to complete coursework, attend exams or practicums.

Information on how to apply for study leave and request for relief funds will be provided to successful scholarship recipients.

While engaged in a full-time temporary capacity, scholars can apply for up to 8 days of paid study leave per academic year (study leave is granted on a pro-rata basis for part-time employees or if they are studying for one semester only in the academic year). The study leave day(s) must be approved by a scholar's principal. The principal can request relief funds be reimbursed to the school if a casual teacher was employed to replace a scholar for the day(s). Teachers will retain their full salary while on study leave. A scholar may choose to access the available study leave to complete coursework, attend exams or practicums.

Information on how to apply for study leave and request for relief funds will be provided to successful scholarship recipients.

Study leave is not available for casual teachers.

As part of the application process, applicants will be asked to select from individual school education areas where they are willing to be appointed to on completion of their studies.

Applicants will be required to select a minimum of 3 school education areas from the following list of priority areas of workforce need: Albury, Armidale, Bankstown, Bathurst, Blacktown, Bourke, Broken Hill, Campbelltown, Deniliquin, Dubbo, Fairfield, Granville, Griffith, Lismore, Liverpool, Moree, Mount Druitt, Muswellbrook, Orange, Penrith, Queanbeyan, Tamworth, Taree and Wagga Wagga.

To view the schools located in each geographic area of workforce need please view the NSW public schools by staffing area spreadsheet resource.

NSW public schools are grouped into geographic locations called 'Principal Networks'. Each principal network has a number of 'areas' for the purpose of staffing schools. Applicants are encouraged to download and view the NSW public schools by staffing area spreadsheet resource.

Sponsorship holders are considered an employment applicant and therefore when selecting Staffing Areas as part of their sponsorship application, schools to which they are considered for appointment will align with the 'areas' for the purposes of staffing schools.

Yes. On completion of their studies and appointment to a permanent position, scholars may be eligible for a wide range of benefits and incentives. The benefits vary from school to school. Use the department's benefits calculator to find out about the benefits and incentives that are available to teachers at individual schools.

Upon successful completion of a scholar's master’s degree or graduate diploma program they will be appointed to a full-time permanent inclusive/special education teaching position in a NSW public school, in one of the nominated locations in line with their Scholarship Agreement.

A scholar may be notified of their appointment as early as 2 school terms prior to the anticipated completion of their inclusive/special education qualification, or earlier, depending on available vacancies at the time.

A scholar's appointment may be in either a primary or secondary school setting, or a School for Specific Purposes. The location of the permanent appointment is non-negotiable.

No. A permanent teacher will have the option to remain at their school while they undertake their qualification. However, once their studies have been completed they will be appointed to a full-time permanent inclusive/special education teaching position in a NSW public school, in one of the nominated locations in line with their Scholarship Agreement.

A scholar may be notified of their appointment as early as 2 school terms prior to the anticipated completion of their inclusive/special education qualification, or earlier, depending on available vacancies at the time.

A scholar's appointment may be in either a primary or secondary school setting, or a School for Specific Purposes. The location of the permanent appointment is non-negotiable.

Recipients of a scholarship will be appointed to a permanent full-time position (1.0 FTE) following the completion of the required studies. Should a scholar be approved by their principal to permanently reduce their full-time arrangement following appointment to a permanent full-time position, they will have their service commitment period extended accordingly. For example, if a scholar permanently reduces the number of days they are working from 5 days per week (1.0 FTE) to 2.5 days per week (0.5 FTE), the length of time remaining under their service commitment period is doubled.

Once permanently appointed, a scholar can access the same LWOP provisions as any other permanent teacher, subject to discussion with their principal. However, scholars must consider that any period of unpaid leave (including unpaid parental leave or unpaid leave for caring responsibilities) or unauthorised absence of more than 5 working days will not count as service for the purposes of calculating the commitment period. The commitment period will be extended to the extent of any such unpaid leave or unauthorised absence.