Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation - QATSIF Scholarship
Under our Scholarship Program, QATSIF provides two-year scholarship funding to support students commencing in Year 11. QATSIF funds successful schools which then provide scholarships to individual students. The intention of the funding is to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander student retention in Years 11 and 12 rather than simply sustain existing retention rates, and funding has to be used to complement and build on existing school and community programmes and support for individual students.
Applications have closed for 2024
Eligible Year 10 and 11 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can only apply through their schools. Note that current Year 11 QATSIF students (with a 2 year scholarship) do not need to reapply as their scholarships will be carried across Year 11 and 12. Any students who have replaced other students should check with their schools.
All scholarship applications will be checked by our QATSIF staff, before being read and approved by our QATSIF Board, and then sent to the Public Trustee of Queensland for final approval.
An eligible QATSIF Scholarship Applicant:
- is a person of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent who identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, is accepted as such by the community in which he/she lives.
- is an Australian citizen and resident of Queensland.
- is enrolled at a Queensland school as a student OR has enrolment confirmed at a Queensland school.
- is in Year 10 or 11 in the year of application.
- intends to undertake and complete his/her Queensland Certificate of Education (* or Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement for students with a verified disability) and has the ability and their school's confidence of fully completing their QCE* by their Year 12 Graduation.
- has current school attendance of 85% or more.
- is under age 35.
- is currently achieving A-C in English and a C or higher in other subjects in Year 10 or if currently in Year 11 must be “on track" to receive their QCE* by their Year 12 Graduation.
- demonstrates effort and behaviour of a C or above.
- participates in school activities which enhances his/her Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural identity.
- demonstrates willingness to fully participate in the life of the school and be a worthy role model for other students.
Student Eligibility Criteria
QATSIF relies on each school's official Census data for the confirmation of Aboriginality for QATSIF Scholarship Applicants. QATSIF advises schools to remind families of their obligations in terms of authenticity. In situations where a student identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander subsequent to school enrolment, Proof of Aboriginality is required. Increasingly, Universities require Proof of Aboriginality as part of their enrolment process.
University of Queensland – InspireU STEM Camp
The InspireU STEM Camp provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are in Years 11 and 12 in 2024 to participate in a week long camp. The camp is perfect for the students from across the country who are planning to attend university and would like the opportunity to explore what degree to study and to build their knowledge about university. The program exposes students to a wide range of career and study options available to them at UQ.
Students are given an holistic experience of university life which is delivered in collaboration with the current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students, UQ's faculties and industry partners. Students will get to attend jammed packed, engaging sessions which will include a hands on component.
All reasonable costs for the camp including all travel, flights, accommodation, meals and excursions are paid for, by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit (ATSISU).
PLEASE NOTE: Ensure that all required documentation is sent to inspireU@uq.edu.au which includes the last three years of your report cards and a reference letter (which can be from your school, community member or Elder).
https://study.uq.edu.au/information-resources/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-students/inspireu
Applications have closed for 2024
Scholarships
Pearl Duncan Teaching Scholarship (https://teach.qld.gov.au/scholarships-and-grants/pearl-duncan-teaching-scholarship): for First Nations Year 12 students, postgraduate students and Department of Education employees who would like to become future teachers.
Aspiring Teacher Grant (https://teach.qld.gov.au/scholarships-and-grants/aspiring-teacher-grant): for all Year 12 students who would like to become future teachers.
TJ Ryan Memorial Scholarship (https://education.qld.gov.au/about-us/budgets-funding-grants/scholarships/tj-ryan-memorial-medal-scholarships): State and non-state secondary schools can nominate one high achieving Year 12 student for this award. Nominees should demonstrate outstanding leadership in their school and community and academic excellence.
Lambert McBride Perpetual Bursary: (https://indigenousportal.education.qld.gov.au/resources/lambert-mcbride-perpetual-bursary): The bursary provides a high-achieving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander 2nd or 3rd year full-time tertiary student with a one-off bursary of $5,000 to assist with study-related expenses at a Queensland University.
Queensland Ambulance Service
This scholarship is a partnership initiative between the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF) to financially support Indigenous students in completing Year 11 and Year 12 of schooling.
The scholarship further provides the opportunity to build the students professional capabilities and networks and assist with their transition into the workforce and/or tertiary education, to achieve their desired career.
What will students receive
A scholarship valued at $2,000 ($500 per semester) over Year 11 and Year 12 to assist students with educational expenses (i.e. school fees, uniforms, textbooks, IT devices, stationery, etc). (Terms and conditions apply.)
In addition, the QAS will provide networking within the workforce as the statewide service for the delivery of pre-hospital ambulance response services.
Eligibility
Students must:
• be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
• currently completing Year 10 and enrolled at a Queensland school OR has confirmed enrolment at a Queensland school for 2025
• have applied for the QATSIF Round 15 Scholarship
• have a current school attendance of 85% or higher
• be achieving a pass or higher in their school results.
How to apply
Students must:
• complete the application form answering the scholarship questions
• have their application form endorsed by their parent/guardian and school
• submit the fully completed application form by TBC via:
- email: enquiries@qatsif.org.au
- post: QATSIF (QAS Scholarship Application), 2/439 Lutwyche Road, Lutwyche Queensland 4030.
QAS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander career pathways
Upon the successful completion of the student's schooling, the QAS has number of career pathways available including, but not limited to:
Paramedic
Emergency Medical Dispatcher
Patient Transport Officer
Public Servant
QAS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander University Scholarships which provides financial assistance to study paramedic science, a health discipline and/or business discipline. (Subject to QAS application process).
The Harding Miller Foundation
The Harding Miller Education Foundation and Quinn Femelle Foundation are seeking scholarship applications from high achieving Year 8 female students in Queensland state schools who have experienced financial or personal hardships*.
Quinn Femelle supports 25 educational scholarships covering Years 9 – 12 for female scholars from across Queensland and Harding Miller Scholarships are Australia wide. These scholarships are open to all eligible* female students including your First Nations students.
These scholarships are awarded to girls entering Year 9 in 2025 at public high schools across Queensland.
The scholarship criteria are:
- Proven high academic potential.
- Dedication to studies.
- Demonstrated financial or personal hardship.
These scholarships focused on supporting women and the progress of equal opportunity for those who are disadvantaged across Australia. It supports long-term sustainable goals that target the future prosperity of Australians, and in particular Queenslanders. Its priority areas are health, education, especially in relation to children and youth.
More information and application details are available at: