Scholarships and Awards

The Department of Education and Training offers some scholarships to school leavers, post-graduate students and departmental employees.

From time to time additional scholarships may be offered and links are often provided through this page where applicable.

Further information on each of the scholarships or grants outlined below can be obtained by following the link provided in each instance.

For students:

Graduate Employment Scholarships support high-achieving, preservice teachers who are undertaking the final year of their undergraduate preservice teacher education program. Scholarships are offered in identified high-demand curriculum areas to support high-calibre preservice teachers and to ensure the department is able to respond to the demand for quality teachers in specialist curriculum areas in state schools across Queensland.

Teacher Education Scholarships are available to high-achieving science and mathematics graduates who are committed to becoming senior Mathematics, Chemistry or Physics teachers in Queensland state high schools. Scholarship recipients receive generous financial study assistance and the opportunity to obtain valuable experience and consolidate their skills through teaching in a supportive, rural, remote or regional environment after graduation.

Allied Health students scholarships are available for final year students studying recognised physiotherapy, occupational therapy or speech-language pathology courses.

Bid O'Sullivan Teaching Scholarships are available to assist Year 12 students from rural and remote areas of Queensland who have chosen teaching as their career. Applications open mid-year and close mid-October annually. Successful applicants are announced by mid-February each year.

Creative Generation Excellence Awards in the Arts recognise and celebrate talented senior arts students in the forms of contemporary and instrumental music, dance, drama, visual art and design and film, television and new media.

Pearl Duncan Teaching Scholarships are available to assist Queenslanders of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage who have chosen teaching as their career. Applications open mid-year and close mid-October annually. Successful applicants are announced by mid-February each year.

The Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in Science and Science Education recognise and reward students, teachers, schools and organisations demonstrating outstanding and innovative contributions to science and science education in Queensland.

TJ Ryan Memorial Medals and Scholarships are awarded each year to support exemplary Queensland students who demonstrate outstanding leadership in their school and community and academic excellence through their achievements in Year 12. Early in Term 4 of each year, Queensland state and non-state secondary schools are invited to nominate one high achiever from their school for this prestigious award. Nominations close 30 November and winners are announced in early March the following year.

Southbank Institute of Technology currently offers a selection of Institute wide scholarships aimed to support both new and continuing students in their educational pursuits. All scholarships are annually at the beginning of each academic year. Information regarding the specific eligibility and selection criteria associated with each scholarship is available on the Southbank Institute's website .

For teachers/school leaders:

Primary Science Scholarships are aimed at assisting primary teachers to increase their science content knowledge and their confidence to teach the primary science curriculum.

Professional Development Scholarships support high achieving teachers to undertake a Graduate Certificate in identified priority areas such as Industrial Technology and Design (Manual Arts), Mathematics B and C, Chemistry and Physics.

New Professionalism (Minister's Awards for School Leader and Teacher Excellence) - a range of awards and grants is offered under the New Professionalism banner, providing opportunities for principals, deputy principals, school leaders, teachers and teacher aides to further their professional development.

Applications for some categories open early June while others open early in July. For full details on all categories available, please refer to the Professional Development website. Successful teacher aide applicants are announced on Teacher Aide Day - celebrated on the first Friday in September annually. Successful teachers and school leaders are announced on World Teachers' Day - celebrated in Queensland on the last Friday in October annually.

Smart Classrooms ICT Teacher Awards recognise and reward state school teachers who excel in making ICT integral to learning.

For non-teaching employees - including teacher aides and public servants:

Professional Development for public servants at the Professional Development website provides information on programs available to public servants wishing to develop their leadership and management skills.

Professional Development Grants for Teacher Aides is part of the New Professionalism program above. Applications open early June and close mid-July annually for announcement on Teacher Aide Day (first Friday in September annually).

Awards open to all employees

Australia Day Achievement Awards reward and recognise significant contributions made by employees to the department and the wider community. Officers can be nominated under one of the following categories:

Exemplary classroom practices modelling organisational values
Exemplary client service
Innovation in practice or procedures reducing the demands on clients and/or team members
Innovation in improving client service delivery or operational effectiveness without increasing work demands.

Nominations open in late October annually.

For more information please contact the Awards Coordinator in the Corporate Communication and Marketing branch or tel. (07) 3237 1623.

Public Service Medal - Department of Education and Training staff are invited to nominate their colleagues for the 2010 Australia Day Public Service Medal. The Public Service Medal recognises outstanding employee service across federal, state, territory and local governments. Nominations should include a short executive summary of up to 200 words, at least three referee statements and full position details of the nominee. Nominations close mid July annually.

For more information visit the program's website at Public Service Medal or contact DETA's Awards Coordinator in the Corporate Communication and Marketing branch or tel. (07) 3237 1623.

Other Useful Links

Scholarships for students or employees are also available from other sources including universities and other State and National providers. Many links are provided below or through the department's Curriculum Exchange site.

The department's Higher Education website links to information about university scholarships, programs and courses, fees and loans, careers and guidance, graduate employment, other Australian universities and admission centres, and vocational education and training.

An extensive range of international and domestic scholarships offerings is maintained in the Australian Career Information Register: Scholarships . Visit this free site to register your interest.

Some frequently requested sites are provided below:

Australian Students Prize - Eligible International Olympiad Medal winners and year 12 students are identified and nominated by states and territories (in Queensland - by the Queensland Studies Authority) to win one of 500 annual Australian Students Prices. Winners receive a certificate and a cash prize of $2000.

National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEITA) - These awards provide the community with the opportunity to encourage, recognise, honour and reward the work of excellent, dedicated, talented and innovative and inspiring teachers.

Queensland Government Scholarships and Awards

Scholarships for School Career Advisers

For further information, contact the Project Officer, Strategic Partnerships.

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