A strong and visible presence by Indigenous people in higher education reduces cultural isolation and heightens the potential for successful outcomes for Indigenous people studying or working in the higher education sector. Many Indigenous staff at Australia’s public higher education institutions are also leaders and mentors to Indigenous people contemplating or undertaking study, and the demands of this role may limit their professional development opportunities.
The Indigenous Staff Scholarship Program was established for Indigenous staff (academic or general) who have actively encouraged Indigenous students to participate in higher education and complete their courses. The scholarships enable staff to take one year of leave from their university employment to undertake full-time higher education study in their chosen academic or professional area. This will recognise their commitment to assisting students in higher education and enhance their own academic/professional standing.
Five national scholarships are awarded annually, each providing approximately $12,000 (indexed annually) to cover tuition fees and/or student contribution amounts for that year, and a non-taxable stipend of approximately $24,200 for each scholarship holder (indexed annually). The scholarships are awarded on merit as determined by the Minister for Education following advice from the Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council, with priority given to people undertaking postgraduate awards.
2009 Indigenous Staff Scholarship recipients
Applications for Indigenous Staff Scholarships for study in 2010 have now closed.
Indigenous Staff Scholarships requirements are detailed in Chapter 3 of the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines.
- Indigenous Staff Scholarships Program Guidelines PDF
(43.9 KB) RTF 
(79.6 KB)
- 2010 Indigenous Staff Scholarships Program Information Package PDF (58.3 KB) RTF (242.3 KB)
- 2010 Indigenous Staff Scholarships Program Application Form PDF (148.0 KB) DOC
(455.5 KB)
REPORTING
Reporting templates for Student Reporting Requirements and Administering Provider Reports:
- Student Progress Report PDF (26.7 KB) RTF (69.0 KB)
- Student Final Report PDF (34.7 KB) RTF (149.8 KB)
- General Final Report PDF (14.5 KB) RTF (23.3 KB)
Contact Officer for ISS inquiries:
Tony Cross
Indigenous Higher Education Policy Team
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Telephone: 02 6240 7714
2009 Indigenous Staff Scholarships
Five national Indigenous Staff Scholarships were awarded in 2008 for study in 2009 at the Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council (IHEAC) Stakeholders’ Forum held in Canberra on 14 August 2008. The five recipients were Wendy Aitken, Bronwyn Dillon, Roianne West, Lynne Stuart (absent) and Tracey Bunda (absent).
Indigenous Staff Scholarship recipient Wendy Aitken with Professor Richard Larkins (2008 Chair, Universities Australia)
Indigenous Staff Scholarship recipient Bronwyn Dillon with Professor Richard Larkins (2008 Chair, Universities Australia)
Indigenous Staff Scholarship recipient Roianne West and Professor Richard Larkins (2008 Chair, Universities Australia)
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