Early Childhood
Scholarships for
Frequently Asked Questions Aboriginal People
2014/15
Who is the scholarship scheme for?
This scholarship scheme is for Aboriginal people currently working in a Victorian early childhood setting who want
to attain or upgrade an approved early childhood qualification.
A limited number of scholarships are available for people who are not currently working in a Victorian early
childhood setting who can demonstrate a willingness and commitment to working in one upon completion of the
course.
Successful applicants will be required to enter into a formal agreement with the Department to successfully
complete the qualification and, upon completion, work for a minimum period of time in a Victorian early childhood
setting.
Support is also available for the Department’s Koorie Engagement Support Officers (KESOs) who have been
accepted into or are currently studying a course le ading to an approved early childhood qualification. If you are a
KESO and want to know more about what support is available under this scheme, please phone 1300 651 662.
What qualifications will be supported?
All approved early childhood and education care qualifications will be supported: You can find a complete list of
these approved qualifications at: http://acecqa.gov.au/educators-and-providers1/qualifications
Approved qualifications include:
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Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Certificate IV in School Age Education and Care
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Diploma of School Age Education and Care
Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services
Early Childhood Teaching Degree
4th Year of Early Childhood Teaching Degree
Postgraduate
Where can I study?
Vocational Education and Training
If you are studying a Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma or an Advanced Diploma, you can find a full list of
registered training organisations that deliver the approved courses above at:
http://training.gov.au/Search/Training?javaScriptEnabled=True&typeAllTrainingComponents=True
Higher Education
If you are studying a higher education qualification, you can find a full list of tertiary institutions that deliver the
approved courses listed above at: http://acecqa.gov.au/educators-and-providers1/qualifications
How do I apply for this scholarship?
To apply for this scholarship, you will need to:
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Visit the following website: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/careers/Pages/aboriginal.aspx
Read the Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions documents
Complete the Application Form without leaving any sections blank
Provide copies of academic transcripts or award qualifications claimed on your Application Form
If applicable, provide a copy of your current contract of employment
Complete the Employer Form (only if you are employed in a Victorian early childhood setting)
If applicable, supply evidence of enrolment in your course and the total cost to complete your course
Use the checklist (the last page of the Application Form) to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything
What is a Victorian early childhood setting?
A Victorian early childhood setting includes:
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A Victorian licensed children’s or approved education and care service (this includes Multifunctional Aboriginal
Children’s services (MACs) and Aboriginal Children and Family Centres (CFCs))
Aboriginal Best Start program
Aboriginal Playgroups
In Home Support
Home Based Learning
Child and Family Services in an Aboriginal Cooperative/or corporation
How do I know if I am eligible for support for this scholarship?
To be eligible for support for this scholarship, you must:
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Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Be currently employed in a Victorian early childhood setting or demonstrate a willingness to work in an early
childhood setting
Have been accepted into a course leading to an approved early childhood qualification
Have support from your employer (if applicable)
When can I apply?
You can apply for this scholarship at any time providing that you meet the eligibility criteria (see above).
What if I am not currently enrolled in a course but will be in the near future?
To be eligible for support, you must be currently enrolled in an approved qualification that is being provided by a
registered training organisation or tertiary institution. If you will be enrolled in an approved qualification in the near
future, you will need to apply for this scholarship at a later date.
When will my application be assessed?
Applications are assessed on an ongoing basis so you can apply at any time.
When will I know the outcome of my application?
Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application within 4 weeks after it has been received by the
Department.
How will successful applicants be chosen?
All applications will be approved by the Department. Support is limited and will be granted at the discretion of the
panel. The Department’s decision is final.
I have been awarded a scholarship from another organisation. Will this affect my eligibility for the
scholarship?
If you are in receipt of a scholarship from another organisation, your eligibility for this scholarship may be affected.
However, you are still encouraged to apply for support for an Early Childhood Scholarship for Aboriginal People.
Your application must include details of the type of funding, the funding body and value of the funding you have/are
currently receiving.
Early Childhood Scholarships for Aboriginal People
Frequently Asked Questions
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What other support may be available for me to complete my course?
Victorian Training Guarantee
The Victorian Training Guarantee makes vocational education and training more accessible to people who do not
hold a post-school qualification, or who want to gain a higher level qualification than they already hold. For more
information, visit: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/training/learners/vet/pages/funding.aspx
ABSTUDY
Abstudy is a fortnightly living allowance as well as additional components to help with the costs associated with
studying. For more information, visit: http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/abstudy
Indigenous Completions Initiative
Indigenous students are assisted by this initiative where only the minimum tuition fee for enrolment in government
funded training at all levels, including diploma and above is paid.
HECS-HELP Benefit for Early Childhood Education Teachers
This provides assistance to people who have competed an early childhood teaching course and have a
HECS-HELP debt by reducing the compulsory HELP repayment. You can also apply for an additi onal benefit as an
education graduate if you:
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Completed your education course of study after 30 June 2009; and
Have a compulsory repayment included on your income tax notice of assessment for the income year
(1 July – 30 June) for which you are applying
For more information, visit http://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Studying/In-detail/HECS-HELP-benefit/HECS-HELPbenefit-for-early-childhood-education-teachers/?default=
Other Support
Some universities offer scholarships specifically for Aboriginal people. Contact your university for further
information.
If my application is successful, what do I have to do?
If your application is successful, you will be required to:
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Enter into a formal agreement with the Department accepting the scholarship offer, terms and conditions .
Remain enrolled in the approved course of study until successful completion of the qualification.
By 1 May each year, provide evidence of course enrolment confirmation until course completion.
Inform the Department if you cease studying for any reason.
Obtain employment within six months after completing your qualification. You will be required to work in a
Victorian early childhood setting for a minimum period of time. This minimum period of time depends on your
qualification type.
Early Childhood Scholarships for Aboriginal People
Frequently Asked Questions
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If I am successful, what will I receive and how long will I be required to work after completing my course?
The table below outlines the maximum amount of support available for each approved qualification type and the
minimum period of time a scholarship recipient is required to work in a Victorian early childhood setting after
successful completion of their qualification.
Qualification
Support
Available
Certificate III in Early Childhood
Education and Care
Certificate IV in School Age
Education and Care
Scholarship
(up to $1,500)
Scholarship
(up to $1,500)
Diploma of Early Childhood
Education and Care
Diploma of School Age Education
and Care
Scholarship
(up to $3,500)
Scholarship
(up to $3,500)
Advanced Diploma of Children’s
Services
4th Year of Early Childhood
Teaching Degree
Early Childhood Teaching Degree
Graduate Diploma in Early
Childhood Education
Scholarship
(up to $3,500)
Scholarship
(up to $6,000)
Scholarship
(up to $12,000)
Scholarship
(up to $6,000)
Postgraduate Qualification
Scholarship
(up to $6,000)
Early Childhood Scholarships for Aboriginal People
Frequently Asked Questions
Length of time
required to work
following
successful
completion of the
course
12 months
12 months
18 months
18 months
18 months
18 months
2 years
2 years
Position to work in following
successful completion of the course
 An educator in a Victorian licensed
children’s service or
 An educator in a Victorian Aboriginal
early childhood setting
 An outside school hours care
assistant
 An educator in a Victorian licensed
children’s service or
 An educator in a Victorian Aboriginal
early childhood setting
 An outside school hours coordinator
 A qualified staff member working
directly with children in a Victorian
licensed children’s service , or
 A service coordinator/manager (not
required to work directly with
children), or
 An educator in a Victorian Aboriginal
early childhood setting
 Early childhood teacher or
Pedagogical leader (for example,
children’s services manager in
kindergarten cluster or local
government council) in a Victorian
licensed children’s service, or
 An early childhood teacher in a
Victorian Aboriginal early childhood
setting
2 years
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If I am successful, will I have to pay tax on my scholarship payment?
Scholarship payments are characterised as taxable income and it is likely that tax will be withh eld on the
scholarship payment.
When will I receive the scholarship payment?
The scholarship payment will be made to you after you sign the agreement with the Department and send it back
for processing.
What is my employer required to do?
Your employer is required to indicate their support for your participation in the scheme by completing the Employer
Form. The Employer Form is available for download at:
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/careers/Pages/fund.aspx
Can I defer or take a leave of absence from my studies?
If you defer your studies before commencing your course, the offer of support will be withdrawn and no payment
will be made. To be considered for support in the future, you must reapply for this scholarship.
If you take a leave of absence during the course of your study, you must notify the Department in writing.
Recipients are allowed to apply for a break in study and if approved, the agreement end date will be extended
accordingly.
What happens if I fail my course?
You must maintain satisfactory progress throughout your course of study. If you fail to maintain satisfactory
progress, support may be terminated. The Department will consider the circumstances and advise if this will affect
your support. You may be required to repay some or all of the scholarship paym ent made to you.
What if I don’t complete my course?
If you withdraw from your course of study before completion, you must notify the Department immediately. The
Department will consider the circumstances and advise if this will affect your support. You may be required to
repay some or all of the scholarship payment made to you.
For more information
Telephone: 1300 651 662
Email: early.years.workforce@edumail.vic.gov.au
Early Childhood Scholarships for Aboriginal People
Frequently Asked Questions
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