Teacher Education Scholarship - Aboriginal

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander HSC students, university students and career changers who meet the eligibility requirements can apply for a Teacher Education Scholarship - Aboriginal.

Other opportunities available to future teachers in NSW public schools include the teach.Rural Scholarship.

In addition to applying for the Teacher Education Scholarship - Aboriginal, applicants may also be eligible to apply for a teach.Rural Scholarship. If an applicant applies for multiple scholarships with the NSW Department of Education, they will only be awarded one scholarship.

No, individuals cannot apply if they are already under a Scholarship Agreement with the department.

Yes, if an applicant meets the eligibility criteria they are welcome to reapply.

No, only HSC students, career changers and mature age candidates commencing university study next year and university students currently enrolled and completing studies next year can apply for a scholarship.

If an applicant is successful in being awarded a Teacher Education Scholarship - Aboriginal, they are not able to defer their university study or scholarship offer.

The Teacher Education Scholarship - Aboriginal is available for a minimum of one year and can support future teachers for a maximum of 5 years. Scholars must remain enrolled and studying for the entire duration of time for which they have been granted a scholarship.

• successfully completing an initial teacher education program, or undergraduate degree followed by an initial teacher education program, at a recognised Australian universityExternal link that will lead to a qualification that meets the department's and NESA’sExternal link academic requirements for employment as a primary, secondary or inclusive/special education (K - 12) teacher
• undertaking all practicums in NSW public schools if commencing studies in 2025 or all remaining practicums if continuing studies in 2025
• satisfying the department’s recruitment procedures and requirements. During the final 2 semesters of study, scholars are required to submit an application for employment as a teacher through the department’s online application for approval to teach, which will include an online interview
• accepting an appointment as a permanent full-time teacher in a NSW public school in an agreed location in line with the Scholarship Agreement on completion of their studies
• remaining in the permanent full-time teaching position they are appointed to on completion of their studies for a minimum of 3 years.

Successful applicants will be required to complete all practicums in NSW public schools if commencing studies in 2025 or all remaining practicums if continuing studies in 2025.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is responsible for accrediting initial teacher education programs in NSW. Applicants are advised to refer to the NESAExternal link website to make sure that the program they wish to study has been accredited.

If applicants intend to study or are currently studying a teacher education program in another state, they will also need to make sure that their program is recognised as an appropriate initial teacher education program accredited by NESAExternal link.

No. The scholarship is only available to applicants who have not yet completed a NESA accredited undergraduate or graduate entry teaching degree. Approved teachers interested in gaining qualifications in additional teaching areas may be interested in the department's sponsored retraining programs.

Applications for the Teacher Education Scholarship - Aboriginal are now closed. Please subscribe to the mailing listExternal link for updates about the program.

Applicants are encouraged to commence and submit their applications as early as possible during the application period.

No, incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

The online application system will not allow an applicant to submit their application until all the required fields have been completed. Once an applicant clicks on the submit button, a confirmation email will automatically be sent to the email address they provided as part of the application process. Applicants are advised to please keep a copy of the confirmation email for their records.

If an applicant did not receive a confirmation email, they are advised to email the Employment Programs team via scholarships@det.nsw.edu.au.

NSW public schools are grouped into 10 geographic locations called regions. Each region has a number of 'staffing areas' for the purpose of staffing schools. Applicants are encouraged to download and view the NSW public schools by staffing area spreadsheet resource. Scholarship holders are considered employment applicants and therefore when selecting areas as part of their scholarship application, schools to which they are considered for appointment will align with the 'staffing areas' for the purposes of staffing schools. Scholars will be given one appointment and will not be offered multiple appointments under the scholarship.

An applicant will be required to complete and submit the documents listed below as part of their application for the Teacher Education Scholarship - Aboriginal:

• Principal's recommendation form - for HSC students only (PDF 198 KB) (if an applicant is currently completing the HSC) as well as Year 11 and 12 school reports and results to date
• Official evidence verifying completion of undergraduate degree or results of undergraduate degree for each year of study (if applicable) for current university students
• Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check: Application and informed consent form (PDF 485 KB)
• Declaration for Child-Related Workers: Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (PDF 473 KB)
• Proof of evidence of Australian Citizenship, permanent residence or visa permitting employment in Australia (if not born in Australia)
• Proof of identity (PDF 255 KB)

To submit the documents, open the IworkforNSW application and upload in line with the instructions provided, prior to the closing date.

If an applicant is a HSC student, a principal's recommendation is an important part of their application. When applying for a scholarship, applicants are advised to ask their principal for a recommendation well before the application deadline, so they have time to write the recommendation.

A principal's recommendation provides the selection panel with information that isn't found elsewhere in an application, including insight into an applicant's personal attributes and leadership qualities.

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

Scholarships will be offered to successful applicants for entry to university/continuation of university studies in Semester 1, 2025.
The offer of a scholarship is dependent on the applicant:

1. being accepted into/enrolled in an initial teacher education program, or an undergraduate degree followed by an initial teacher education program at a recognised Australian universityExternal link that will lead to a qualification that meets the department's and NESA’sExternal link academic requirements for employment as a teacher.
2. undertaking all practicums in NSW public schools if commencing studies in 2025 or all remaining practicums if continuing studies in 2025.
3. satisfying the conditions of a Working With Children CheckExternal link, which is a prerequisite for anyone undertaking child-related work. The check involves a national criminal history check and a review of findings of workplace misconduct.
4. entering into a Scholarship Agreement, a legally binding agreement that outlines the responsibilities of both the scholarship applicant and the department. The agreement also states the duration of the scholarship and the service commitment areas that were selected by the applicant during the application process.

Yes. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified of the outcome via email once the selection process is completed.

If an applicant changes their contact details after the closing date, they are advised to please email their updated contact details to the department's Employment Programs team via scholarships@det.nsw.edu.au.

If an applicant would like feedback on their application, they are encouraged to contact the department's Employment Programs team via scholarships@det.nsw.edu.au.

The $7,500 annual training allowance and $6,000 appointment allowance must be declared as assessable income on annual income tax returns. Scholars may have tax withheld from their annual training allowance and appointment allowance. HECS-HELP repayments may also be withheld.

It should be noted that if scholars withdraw from the scholarship program or breach the terms and conditions of their scholarship agreement and incur a liability, that the amount repayable is calculated based on the gross amount paid under the scholarship.

Scholars are paid their $7,500 annual training allowance once the Employment Programs team receives confirmation of enrolment in their teacher education studies. The full $7,500 allowance is paid based on a full-time study load of 8 subjects or more per academic year. If scholars are enrolled in less than 8 subjects per academic year, they will be paid a pro-rata amount at a rate of $937.50 per subject. The department will not provide an allowance for subjects previously failed and reattempted. The department will also not provide an allowance for subjects which they receive advanced standing or academic credit for. Allowances are paid in the form of an electronic funds transfer (EFT) directly into their nominated bank account.

If a scholar is unable to fulfil the terms of the Scholarship Agreement they will be required to repay the department for any payments as part of the Teacher Education Scholarship. The amount repayable is calculated based on the gross amount paid under the scholarship.

On successful completion of their teacher education studies, and subject to meeting requirements of the department’s approval to teach process, scholars are appointed to a full-time permanent teaching position in a NSW public school, in an agreed location in line with the Scholarship Agreement. Scholars will be given one appointment and will not be offered multiple appointments under the scholarship. Scholars are awarded a $6,000 appointment allowance. A scholar may initially be appointed to a NSW public school temporarily as 'above establishment' until a suitable substantive vacancy arises. Scholars may receive notification of their permanent teaching position up to 12 months prior to their entry on duty date.

On successful completion of their teacher education studies, scholars are appointed to a full-time permanent teaching position in a NSW public school in line with the agreed areas/locations confirmed within the Scholarship Agreement. Scholars should familiarise themselves with the schools located within each 'staffing area' in the NSW public schools by staffing area spreadsheet resource. Scholars will be given one appointment and will not be offered multiple appointments under the scholarship.

Yes. On completion of their teacher education 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.