In April 2004, the Australian Government announced 54 scholarships for career advisers in schools. The scholarships supported professional development for school career advisers by providing them with opportunities to gain skills, knowledge and experience through scholarships for further study or industry placements in 2005.
In 2005 funding was made available for a further four years, under the Career Advice Australia (CAA) initiative.
In April 2007, the Australian Government announced a further 16 scholarships each year for TAFE and university career advisers to participate in the Scholarship program in 2008 and 2009.
Curriculum Corporation manages the scholarships for the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
Study Scholarships
Each year, 27 scholarships are available for school career advisers and a further eight are available for TAFE and university career advisers. The scholarship provides $5,000 to contribute to the cost of tuition.
Industry Placement Scholarships
Each year, 27 scholarships are available for school career advisers and a further eight are available for TAFE and university career advisers. The scholarship provides $10,000 to contribute to the costs of the placement.
Study Scholarship
To study at postgraduate level to upgrade your qualifications as a career adviser.
Industry Placement Scholarship
To take up a short-term industry placement to further your skills or knowledge of workplaces, industry sectors and/or occupations.
School Career Advisers
Career Teachers/Advisers who are currently employed by an Australian school or college and who are working as, or have worked within the past 24 months, in a career advice or career development role.
TAFE and University Career Advisers
Practitioners who are currently employed at an Australian TAFE institute or Australian university and who have been working as a career adviser, for a minimum of six months, within the past 24 months.
Note: For the purposes of eligibility, an Australian school includes all Government, Independent and Catholic systemic schools or colleges. Career Advisers/Practitioners working in these schools are encouraged to apply.
Note: For the purposes of eligibility, a TAFE institute or Australian university includes:
‘Higher Education Institutions', which comprise publicly and privately funded universities, self-accrediting institutions and non self-accrediting institutions offering education at the degree level and above; and ‘Registered Training Organisations', which comprise TAFE institutes and all other organisations that are registered by State/Territory Training Authorities and offer nationally recognised training and qualifications.
Applications will be assessed by a panel of representatives from DEEWR, Curriculum Corporation and industry organisations.
The Scholarships are awarded to help applicants improve their career development practice and, in doing so, to benefit the broader community. Applications will be considered in term of the skills, knowledge and experience that applicants hope to gain and the potential benefits for students, schools, colleagues and workplaces.
To ensure the benefits of the program are spread across Australia, scholarship recipients will be selected from metropolitan, regional/rural and remote locales. The Industry Placement Scholarships will also be selected to ensure there is a spread across industries.
Applications open on 1 May 2008 and close on 31 July 2008.
Successful applicants will be notified in October 2008.
Applicants should complete the online application form. Applicants unable to complete the form online should contact Cameron Picton on (03) 9207 9600 or via careerscholarships@curriculum.edu.au.
There are two application forms: one for the Study Scholarship and one for the Industry Placement Scholarship. Applicants are welcome to apply for both Study and Industry Placement Scholarships; those intending to do so must lodge separate applications.
All applicants need to fill out Sections 1 though to 5.
School Career Adviser applicants need to ensure that a letter from their Principal is completed and submitted. This letter is required for an application to be considered valid.
TAFE and University Career Advisers need to enclose a letter of support from their manager. This letter is required for an application to be considered valid.
Additionally, applicants for the Industry Placement Scholarship need their host employer to complete and submit a letter of support for their intended placement. This letter is required for an Industry Placement Scholarship application to be considered valid.
Applicants will be sent a confirmation email only when a complete application is submitted.
Awarding of the Scholarship is contingent upon the presentation of:
- a confirmation of enrolment letter from the institution at which Study Scholarship applicants intend to enrol; or
- a letter from the host employer confirming the placement for Industry Placement Scholarship applicants.
The scholarship is awarded to help applicants improve their career development practice and to benefit the broader community. Conditions for the receipt of a scholarship are as follows:
Legal requirements
All Scholarship recipients will be required to sign a legal agreement with Curriculum Corporation regarding the terms and conditions of the Scholarship; give DEEWR permission to release their name and the name of their school or institution; and acknowledge Australian Government funding where appropriate.
Reporting by all Scholarship Recipients
All Scholarship recipients will produce two reports during their Scholarship: a progress report and a final report of their activities. Templates for these reports will be provided.
On completion, scholarship recipients are expected to report on their experiences and/or learnings to their Principal or Manager, and to their colleagues or community of practice.
In addition Industry Scholarship Recipients
Will develop a resource which may take many forms, for example: a learning object for students, a management tool for school administrators or your host industry, a reflective journal of interest to colleagues.
The resource should be placed in context, grounded in current career development theory and the Professional Standards for Australian Career Development Practitioners (2007). The resource should be applicable in other situations or be of interest to others.
The Career Industry Council of Australia has developed Guiding Principles for Career Information and Guiding Principles for Career Services. These may be of assistance in developing a resource and are available at http://www.cica.org.au/. 
Professional Standards for Australian Career Development Practitioners
It is recommended that all applicants for the Scholarships for Career Advisers become familiar with the competencies outlined in the Professional Standards for Australian Career Development Practitioners (2007) at http://www.cica.org.au/.
Examples of previous recipient’s profiles and placements may be found at Stories from past Scholarship recipients and follow the link to each year.
Applications for the 2009 round of Australian Government Scholarships for Career Advisers may be completed using the online form at http://careers.curriculum.edu.au/.
Applications for 2009 Scholarships will open on 1 May 2008 and close on 31 July 2008.