Scholarships and Awards

The Department of Education and Training offers scholarships to school leavers, post-graduate students, departmental employees and employees in the early childhood education and care sector. Some scholarships are also available to post-school applicants.

From time to time additional scholarships may be offered.

For school students:

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.

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.

For early childhood education and care employees:

Early Childhood Teacher Scholarships support existing early childhood education and care staff who hold a minimum three (3) year Higher Education Institution qualification and are not registered with the Queensland College of Teachers.

For Year 12 graduates

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 early in term 4 and close mid-November annually. Successful applicants are announced by mid-February each year.

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 early in term 4 and close mid-November annually. Successful applicants are announced by mid-February each year.

TJ Ryan Memorial Medals and Scholarships are awarded each year to support exemplary Queensland students who demonstrate outstanding leadership in their school and the broader community as well as 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.

For university students:

Graduate Teacher Employment Scholarships supports high-achieving, pre-service teachers who are undertaking the final year of their undergraduate or post graduate pre-service teacher education program. Scholarships are offered in identified high-demand curriculum areas to support high-calibre pre-service 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.

Step into Teaching 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.

LOTE Teacher Employment Scholarships available to high achieving pre-service teachers who are completing a pre-service teacher education program with a LOTE specialisation in 2010.

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

For TAFE students:

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 indigenous people:

Governor-General's Indigenous Student Teacher Scholarships are offered by the Commonwealth Government to provide financial support to enable Indigenous students greater access to universities, improve retention rates of Indigenous students studying a teacher education course, provide additional support to students through mentors and giving students the opportunity to be role models to other Indigenous students. These scholarships also aim to increase the number of quality Indigenous teachers in schools who can support Indigenous students to achieve positive education outcomes. All enquiries should be directed to GovGenScholarships@deewr.gov.au.

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.

Regional Professional Development Scholarships support Queensland state school teachers to gain postgraduate qualifications in identified regional high-demand curriculum areas, such as Industrial Technology and Design (Manual Arts), Mathematics B and C, Chemistry and Physics.

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.

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 Senior Project Officer (Reward and Recognition)

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This page was last reviewed on 25 Aug 2011