Next round of Commonwealth Scholarships support regional ECEC study

Young Australians living in 10 selected regional areas who are wishing to study early childhood education and care, along with many other qualifications, are now able to apply for a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications scholarship.

Round Three of the Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Young Australians is now open in select regions, offering up to $5,000 a year to undertake an approved course of study, something Michaelia Cash, Federal Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business described as “a life-changing opportunity”.

“We know that our youth have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19,” Ms Cash said, outlining the Federal Government’s commitment to “ensuring young Australians can upskill and reskill to secure a job”.

The intention behind the scholarships, Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, Steve Irons explained, was to improve youth skills and to connect young people in areas of high youth unemployment to training pathways and real jobs.

“We want to support young Australians to enter the vocational education and training sector which will help to create strong pathways to jobs in areas of skills needs and real outcomes,” he added.

The Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Young Australians is part of the Australian Government’s $585 million Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow package.

It will award around 400 young Australians from 10 regional locations with high youth unemployment up to $5,000 a year to study a qualification and an additional $3,000 to complete an internship.

Applications are sought from people who are not in full-time work, who are aged 15 to 24 years or people who have left the Australian Defence Force in the past two years.

Scholarships will target occupations identified in projected growth industries and occupations identified as in-demand in 10 regional locations:

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

For more information and eligibility requirements please visit: https://www.employment.gov.au/commonwealth-scholarships-program-young-australians