Public Education Foundation Scholarships
Every student deserves the chance to go further – and at PEF, we believe a public school education is the foundation for that future. Our scholarships exist to open doors: helping students discover what they’re capable of, supporting the teachers and principals who shape their journey, and easing the load for families along the way.
Whether you’re a student dreaming bigger, a parent backing that dream, or a school championing your community’s talent, there’s a place for you here.
Apply for 2027
Our next scholarship cycle opens from 29 June 2026. Check back during this period to explore what’s on offer and find the opportunity that’s right for you.
Applications open according to the following schedule:
- Tertiary – Monday 29 June 2026 to Friday 4 September 2026
- Secondary – Monday 20 July 2026 to Friday 25 September 2026
- Primary – Monday 3 August 2026 to Friday 9 October 2026
- Principals and Teachers – Monday 7 September 2026 to Tuesday 26 January 2027
Ready to find your scholarship?
→ Visit the scholarship portal ← to see what you’re eligible for and start your application.
Got a question?
Our Scholarships team is here to help. Email scholarships@publiceducationfoundation.org.au or call us on 02 7814 2806.
| Scholarship | Location | Year | Overview | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scholarships open from Monday 3 August 2026 |
| Scholarship | Location | Year | Overview | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scholarships open from Monday 20 July 2026 |
| Scholarship | Location | Year | Overview | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEU Federal Indigenous Tertiary Scholarship | Australia-wide | 12 | The AEU National Tertiary Indigenous Teaching Scholarship supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from public schools who are experiencing hardship to pursue a career in teaching through tertiary study. It is open to Indigenous students who are completing Year 12 at a public school in 2026 and intending to enrol full-time in a Bachelor of Teaching at an approved Australian public university in 2027. | Apply now |
| AEU Federal Refugee Scholarship | ||||
| AEU Federal Secondary Scholarship | ||||
| AEU Federal Refugee Tertiary Scholarship | ||||
| Department of Education NSW Tertiary Teaching Scholarship | ||||
| Fennell Scholarship for Girls in STEM (Tertiary) | NSW | 12 | The Fennell Scholarship for Girls in STEM supports young women from Greater Western Sydney public schools who are experiencing financial hardship to complete their senior secondary education and pursue further study in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics. It is open to female Australian citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in Year 12 at a NSW public high school and intending to enrol in a university or TAFE STEM course in 2027, with preference given to students from a refugee background. | Apply now |
| Friends of Zainab Tertiary Scholarship | Australia-wide | 12 | The Friends of Zainab Tertiary Scholarship supports refugee students experiencing disadvantage to access and succeed in further education. It is open to Australian citizens or permanent residents (with case-by-case consideration for those without permanent status) currently completing Year 12 at an Australian public school in 2026, who plan to enrol full-time in a TAFE course or university degree in 2027. | Apply now |
| Helen MacGregor Teachers Health National Tertiary Teaching Scholarship (non-NSW) | ||||
| NSW Cookery Teachers Association Scholarship | NSW | 12 | The NSW Cookery Teachers Association Scholarship supports students committed to becoming Food Technology teachers in NSW public schools. It is open to Australian citizens or permanent residents currently completing the HSC at a NSW public school in 2026, who plan to study a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with a major in Food Technology at university in 2027 and to teach in the NSW public school system upon graduation. | Apply now |
| NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association Scholarship (Tertiary) | NSW | 12 | The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association Scholarship supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or refugee students experiencing hardship to pursue a career in nursing or midwifery. It is open to Australian citizens or permanent residents currently in Year 12 at a NSW public school, with a commitment to studying an NMBA-approved nursing or midwifery course through TAFE NSW or a NSW public university from 2027. | Apply now |
| NSW Teachers Federation Refugee Scholarship (Tertiary) | ||||
| NSW Teachers Federation TAFE Scholarship (Refugee Teacher) | ||||
| National Regional and Remote Tertiary Scholarship | Australia-wide | 12 | The National Regional and Remote Tertiary Scholarship supports high-achieving Year 12 students at regional, rural or remote public high schools across Australia who face hardship to pursue further study at TAFE or university. It is open to Australian citizens or permanent residents attending a school classified as Inner Regional, Outer Regional, Remote or Very Remote on MySchool, currently completing Year 12 in 2026, and committed to full-time study in 2027. | Apply now |
| National Tertiary Scholarship | Australia-wide | 12 | The National Tertiary Scholarship supports high-potential Year 12 students at metropolitan public high schools across Australia who face hardship to pursue post-school education at TAFE or university. It is open to Australian citizens or permanent residents attending a school designated as a Major City on MySchool, currently completing Year 12 in 2026, and committed to full-time study in 2027. | Apply now |
| Nurses and Midwives Health Scholarship (NSW) | NSW | 12 | The Nurses and Midwives Health Scholarship (NSW) supports motivated students experiencing hardship to pursue a career in nursing or midwifery. It is open to Australian citizens or permanent residents currently in Year 12 at a NSW public school in 2026, with a commitment to studying an NMBA-approved nursing or midwifery course through TAFE NSW or a NSW public university from 2027. | Apply now |
| Nurses and Midwives Health – National Tertiary Scholarship | ||||
| Teachers Health Teachers National Tertiary Scholarship | ||||
| Teachers Health Tertiary Teaching Scholarship (QLD) | QLD | 12 | The Teachers Health Tertiary Teaching Scholarship (QLD) supports high-potential Queensland public school students experiencing hardship to pursue a career in education through tertiary study. It is open to Australian citizens or permanent residents who are completing Year 12 at a Queensland public school in 2026 and are intending to enrol full-time in a Bachelor of Teaching at a public university in 2027. | Apply now |
