Bob Hawke Aboriginal Teacher Scholarships

Edith Cowan University, Australia

Updated: 12 days ago
Location: Mount Lawley, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Deadline: 03 Mar 2022

At a glance

The Department of Education is committed to creating culturally responsive environments that build on the strength of Aboriginal students, engage them in learning and enable them to thrive academically and socially. A key part of achieving this is increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people teaching in our secondary schools.

The Bob Hawke Aboriginal teacher scholarships are named in honour of Bob Hawke’s lifelong support of Indigenous rights and his vision of a fair and inclusive Australia.

We are providing an exciting opportunity for aspiring Aboriginal secondary teachers to be supported to complete their teaching qualification.

The two annual scholarships will be either:

An undergraduate scholarship valued at up to $30,000 including:

  • a total of $28,000 to support you to complete a Bachelor of Education (Secondary). This will be an amount of $7,000 for each year of full‑time study, or equivalent.
  • a $2,000 appointment allowance, if you start full-time employment as a teacher in a Western Australian public school within 12 months of completing the teaching course.

A postgraduate scholarship valued at up to $16,000 including:

  • a total of $14,000 to support you to complete a Master of Teaching (Secondary). This will be an amount of $7,000 for each year of full‑time study, or equivalent.
  • a $2,000 appointment allowance, if you start full-time employment as a teacher in a Western Australian public school within 12 months of completing the teaching course.

Eligibility guidelines

In order to be considered for the scholarships, you must:

  • identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and reside in Western Australia
  • not already be in receipt of a tertiary scholarship or other financial assistance for the purposes of study from the Department of Education
  • confirm that you express an interest in working as a secondary teacher in a Western Australian public school, upon completion of the teaching qualification
  • not already be a qualified secondary teacher
  • confirm and provide proof that you:
    • intend to enrol in an accredited secondary teaching qualification at a recognised Australian tertiary institution by closure of 2022 enrolments; or
    • are enrolled in an accredited secondary teaching qualification at a recognised Australian tertiary institution, and have completed no more than one year of full time study towards that qualification.

Selection criteria

Prepare a written response (1 page) to the selection criteria for the scholarship you are applying for:

Undergraduate scholarship:

  • Demonstrated and relevant personal attributes that positively influence students, staff, families and communities.
  • As a future teacher, articulate your personal and lived experiences (eg. family and community relationships) that would support the wellbeing, engagement and achievement of Aboriginal students in a classroom.
  • Your leadership vision to strengthen and create opportunities for all students to contribute to and benefit from reconciliation.

    • Postgraduate scholarship:

  • Personal and social attributes that demonstrate you will contribute to strengthening the future wellbeing, engagement and achievement of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students in schools.
  • Your future vision as a teacher in the public school system, that draws on the strengths of your Aboriginal identity and experiences to lead and influence culturally responsive approaches across a school.
  • Demonstrated leadership in creating opportunities for all students to strengthen, contribute to and benefit from reconciliation.

    • How to apply
  • Download the application form and fill in all relevant sections.
  • Address the selection criteria in a written response (1 page).
  • Prepare your resume and have it ready for submission including up-to-date experience, employment details and any activities which may support your application.
  • Collate documentation of academic transcript and proof of enrolment or intention to enrol. If you are not currently enrolled, please provide a letter from a referee confirming your intention to enrol by 2022.
  • Use the checklist in section I of the application form to confirm you have included all required documents.
  • Email your completed application and supporting documents, as one single PDF file, to AboriginalTeacherScholarship@education.wa.edu.au by 3 March 2022 at 5.00pm WST.
  • You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of application.
  • The Department of Education will review all applications and notify you regarding the outcome and next steps.

    • Further information

    For further information about the scholarship program, you can:


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