Bob Hawke Aboriginal teacher scholarships

Bob Hawke Aboriginal teacher scholarships

We are offering 2 scholarships to support aspiring Aboriginal secondary teachers to complete a postgraduate or undergraduate qualification on a full-time or part-time basis.

We are 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. 

We offer 2 annual scholarships.

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.

Applications are now open and will close on 14 March 2024 at 5 pm.

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 us
  • 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 you either:
    • intend to enrol in an accredited secondary teaching qualification at a recognised Australian tertiary institution by closure of 2024 enrolments
    • 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. 

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

Undergraduate scholarship:

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

Postgraduate scholarship:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Demonstrated leadership in creating opportunities for all students to strengthen, contribute to and benefit from reconciliation.
  1. Download the Bob Hawke Aboriginal teacher scholarship 2024 application form.
  2. Fill in all relevant sections.
  3. Address the selection criteria in a written response (1 page).
  4. Prepare your resume and have it ready for submission including up-to-date experience, employment details and any activities which may support your application.
  5. 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 2024.
  6. Use the checklist in section G of the application form to confirm you have included all required documents.
  7. Email your completed application and supporting documents, as one single PDF file, by 5 pm on 14 March 2024 to AboriginalTeacherScholarship@education.wa.edu.au.
  8. You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of application.
  9. We will review all applications and notify you regarding the outcome and next steps.
Resources

For further information about the scholarship program, call us on 9264 4576 or email AboriginalTeacherScholarship@education.wa.edu.au.

The term ‘Aboriginal’ respectfully refers to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders.