• The Scholarship Program, together with a department-based work placement, offers up to 3 scholarships each year in the amount of $15,000. 

About the Aboriginal Tertiary Scholarship Program:

The Scholarship Program is a key component of the department's Aboriginal Workforce Strategy 2024-2027, specifically aligning with Pillar Three: Create employment pathways and build stronger careers.  

In acknowledgment of the significant value Aboriginal employees bring to the Department of Justice and Community Safety (the department), pillar three includes a focus on establishing clear and accessible employment pathways for new and existing Aboriginal employees, to ensure they can reach their full potential.   

This is designated program under s.12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply. 

Eligibility: 

There are 3 eligibility criteria that applicants must meet: 

1. Residency - Applicants must reside in the state of Victoria or in a Victorian border town. 

2. Aboriginality - Be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who is accepted by the Aboriginal community as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person; and can provide a Confirmation of Aboriginality (CoA). 

3. Study requirements - Be undertaking full-time studies at an education institution, and either: 

• have completed the first year of an accredited online or in-person undergraduate degree course in the discipline for which the application is being made; or 
• have commenced an accredited online or in-person postgraduate course for which the scholarship application is being made. 

Applicaiton Assessment:

Applicants are required to provide details on and will be assessed on: 

1. Level of Aboriginal community involvement - Tell us about yourself, your mob and country and outline your engagement with the Aboriginal community. Describe how the Aboriginal community may benefit from your acquired qualifications and/or describe your justice specific career goals.  

2. Motivations - Tell us about your study interests and why you decided to pursue your particular course of study. 

3. Career goals - Tell us about how a career with the department is aligned with your career goals. 

4. Academic results - Past academic results will be considered in assessing an applicant's ability to complete their course of study within the duration of the proposed scholarship. 

Responsibilities of successful scholarship recipients: 

• Inform the AWU if you intend to take any subjects which require you to be interstate or overseas. 
• Maintain passing grades for all subjects and provide the AWU with your results at the end of each semester. 
• Please refer to the attached Aboriginal Tertiary Scholarship Program Guidelines for all responsibilities. 

Qualifications:

Applicants must be studying at an Australian education institution, and: 

• have completed the first year of an accredited online or in-person undergraduate degree course in the discipline for which the application is being made; or
• have commenced an accredited online or in-person postgraduate course for which the scholarship application is being made. 

How to submit your application

Carefully read the Aboriginal Tertiary Scholarship Program Guidelines before submitting your application. 

A maximum of threescholarships will be awarded based on merit.  

Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. 

Applications should include a: 

1. Resume 
2. Supporting statement (approximately 400 words)
3. Transcript of results
4. Written academic reference
5. Confirmation of Aboriginality

Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

The successful scholarship recipient maybe required to undergo pre-employment checks as part of the placement component of the Scholarship Program. This may include reference checks, national police checks and misconduct screening. Dependent on placement opportunities, other checks may include VicRoads checks, driver's license checks, medical checks and Working with Children Checks. 

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work. 

For more details regarding this program please review the scholarship guidelines form or contact: 

Krystal Henderson, Manager, Aboriginal Workforce Unit on 0477 132 117 or via Aboriginalworkforce@justice.vic.gov.au. 

Applications for this scholarship close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 1 June 2025.