TAFE Queensland scholarships open: applications close 30 September 2025

TAFE Queensland has opened applications for its 2025 Scholarship Program, offering financial assistance to students beginning vocational training in Semester 1, 2026. The program presents a valuable opportunity for those pursuing qualifications in early childhood education and care (ECEC), an area of continued workforce demand.

Applications are open now and close at midnight on 30 September 2025. In this round, TAFE will award 100 scholarships, each valued at $5,000, to help cover course fees, childcare, travel, tools, uniforms, textbooks, and other study-related expenses.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be Australian citizens or permanent residents
• Be commencing a Certificate III, Diploma, or higher TAFE qualification in Semester 1, 2026
• Be a first-year apprentice or new student (current students continuing the same qualification are not eligible)

Courses include the Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, which are widely recognised entry and advancement pathways into the sector.

Scholarship types

Two streams of support are available:

• Access and equity scholarships, supporting applicants who face barriers to study, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, individuals with disability or long-term health conditions, sole parents, and those experiencing financial or social disadvantage.
• Merit scholarships, awarded to applicants with strong academic or work performance and clear career goals. These include Athlete–Merit scholarships for athletes balancing sport and study, and Career Pathway scholarships supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public-sector staff.

Building the sector’s future

Over the past decade, TAFE Queensland has invested more than $3.4 million through this program. Many recipients have gone on to work in fields with critical skills shortages, including early childhood education.

For the ECEC sector, the scholarships represent a practical pathway to attract and retain new educators by reducing financial barriers and encouraging a broader range of people to take up study.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online through the TAFE Queensland Scholarship Program portal. Applicants will need to provide identification, referee details, and supporting documentation demonstrating either merit or disadvantage.

Closing date

Applications close at midnight on 30 September 2025.