VET News

Scholarships Now Open for Young Australians!

Round Four of the Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Young Australians is open for those living in 10 selected regions, with up to $5,000 on offer per year for two years, along with an additional $3,000 if they also complete a 20-day paid internship.

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, the Hon Stuart Robert MP, a veteran, said better supporting young people and those transitioning from military service will strengthen Australia’s workforce.

‘These kinds of opportunities will help build our workforce, at a time when the Government is delivering a record $6.4 billion in support for skills,’ Minister Robert said. ‘We’re already seeing hundreds of thousands of Australians upskilling or reskilling thanks to programs like this, as well as JobTrainer, and TAFE and apprenticeship funding, all of which is driving our economic recovery.’

Young people aged 15-24 are eligible for the scholarship but must not be in full-time work or study at the time of applying and intend on taking an eligible VET qualification from Certificate III through to an Advanced Diploma.

Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services, the Hon Luke Howarth MP, said the Australian Government has expanded the program with an extra $2.9 million allocated in the 2021-22 Federal Budget.

‘Young people have been among the hardest hit from the COVID-19 pandemic, so opportunities like this will be immensely helpful, especially for those in disadvantaged communities,’ Assistant Minister Howarth said.

Host employers can receive $1,500 per intern hosted. To be eligible, applicants must live in the following regions:

• New South Wales – Grafton (including Coffs Harbour) and Gosford
• Northern Territory – Alice Springs
• Queensland – Maryborough and Townsville
• South Australia – Port Pirie
• Tasmania – Burnie
• Victoria – Shepparton
• Western Australia – Wanneroo and Armadale

Applications close on 11 March 2022. For more details on how to apply, visit www.dese.gov.au/commonwealth-scholarships-program-young-australians

Date posted Feb 3, 2022