The QAS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship Program

The QAS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship Program aims to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation within the workforce. Scholarships are offered to school and university students to assist in minimizing financial barriers that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school or university students face throughout their education period. Additionally, the program aims to provide opportunities and support for students seeking to enter the workforce.

The QAS School Based Scholarship aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to eliminate barriers to the completion of studies at school, increase student retention in Years 11 and 12, and assist with the transition from school to work and/or tertiary education.

Scholarship recipients will be provided with financial support and access to mentoring and career coaching as follows:

• Financial support up to the total value of $2,000 over the two-year period provided through the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF).

  The QATSIF is an independent, not-for-profit trust managed by The Public Trustee of Queensland and operates through a small Secretariat. The QATSIF recognises the vital role that successful completion of schooling and the availability of opportunities through higher education have in building a foundation for employment and better quality of life. However, it is equally aware that the costs of senior education continue to increase significantly.

  Please note: The QATSIF notifies Queensland secondary schools of the impending Scholarships and interested schools apply online for scholarships on behalf of their students during their year 10 studies.

  Further information on the QAS School Based Scholarship, eligibility criteria and how to apply are available on the QATSIF website .

• Mentoring and Career Coaching to scholarship recipients during their year 12 studies. Further information will be provided to scholarship recipients.

The Jamie Jackway Paramedic Scholarship aims to financially support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to complete their Bachelor of Paramedic Science degree and provide a direct opportunity to transition into the QAS workforce through the QAS Graduate Paramedic Program.

Scholarship recipients will receive:

• Year 1-3: $10,000 each year to financially assist paramedic students with tuition and additional expenses throughout the duration of the degree (up to a maximum of 3 years full-time study or equivalent).
• Year 4: a placement in the QAS Graduate Paramedic Program upon the successful completion of their relevant bachelor/s degree and attaining registration as a health practitioner (subject to successful completion of the QAS recruitment selection process).

How to apply
Applications are open now and will close on 1 August 2024.

To apply:

Applications must be received by 1 August 2024. Late applications will not be accepted.

About Jamie Jackway

Jamie Jackway is an Advanced Care Paramedic, a proud Indigenous Australian and a valued member of the QAS family.

In November 2009, Jamie Jackway and a QAS flight crew were responding to a rescue call for a patient suffering cardiac complications aboard a container ship located approximately 132 kilometres west of Horn Island in the Torres Strait. Recovery of the patient required rescue winching. During the operation, the winching cable failed, and both Jamie and a fellow aircrewman fell approximately 10 metres back onto the container ship. Jamie suffered multiple injuries rendering him a quadriplegic. Jamie spent several months rehabilitating in Brisbane with the support of his family, friends and the QAS.

Jamie's positive outlook and personable character has made him an exceptional ambassador. Over the years, Jamie has been an ambassador for several organisations such as the United Workers Union and QAS Legacy.

To formally recognise Jamie’s contributions to the QAS and his support of the QAS Indigenous Paramedic Program and broader cultural capability networks, the QAS Indigenous University Paramedic Scholarship has been named after Jamie.

The QAS Tertiary Scholarship aims to financially support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking an undergraduate degree in Business, Technology, and/or Health and Community in their first year of studying at university and to build professional capabilities and experience to help with the transition to the workforce.

Scholarship recipients will receive:

• Year 1: $5,000 each year to financially assist students with tuition and additional expenses throughout the duration for the degree (up to a maximum of 3 years full-time study or equivalent).
• Year 2 or 3: a 12-week temporary paid internship with the QAS in a field relevant to their degree (subject to successful completion of the QAS recruitment selection process).
• Year 4: scholarship recipients will be offered a placement within the QAS workforce.

How to apply
Applications are open now and will close on 1 August 2024.

To apply:

Applications must be received by 1 August 2024. Late applications will not be accepted.

Last updated 21 May 2024