As part of the Australian Government’s Education Revolution, the Scholarships for a Competitive Future initiative aims to double the number of Commonwealth Scholarships from 44,000 to 88,000 by 2012. As part of this expansion, two new scholarship categories will be introduced in 2009:
- National Priority Scholarships for students enrolling in priority areas; and
- National Accommodation Scholarships for students relocating interstate to study specialist courses not available near their home.
The Government proposes that the new National Priority Scholarships be offered to students undertaking undergraduate studies in nursing, teaching, medicine, dentistry, allied health, science, engineering and mathematics.
The Government is keen to consult widely with stakeholders and interested parties about the new scholarships, including which disciplines should be covered under the National Priority Scholarships. To facilitate this, the Minister for Education, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, released a Discussion Paper on 7 April 2008 for comment.
The Government invites responses to this Discussion Paper addressing the questions raised in the paper along with any other comments on how the Government can best implement the new categories of Commonwealth Scholarships.
Submissions should be provided in writing by close of business on 1 May 2008 and addressed to:
Post: Dr Caroline Perkins
Branch Manager
Location 033
Equity and Structural Reform Branch
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)
PO Box 9880
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: scholarships@deewr.gov.au
For more information about the Discussion Paper, please contact:
Mr Bruce Jennings
Director, Equity Unit
Equity and Structural Reform Branch
Higher Education Group
DEEWR
Telephone: (02) 6219 3561
Email: bruce.jennings@deewr.gov.au