Pacific Secondary Scholarships in Australia

About 

Study in Australia. The Australian Government funded Scholarships for Pacific High School and Secondary Students are now calls for application.  ​The new Pacific Secondary School Scholarships Program is a prestigious Australian Government financial award. The scholarships provide an exciting opportunity for high performing Pacific island students to attend an Australian secondary school, gain a quality education and develop leadership skills. The Program builds on the Australian Government’s strong commitment to deepen education links between Australia and the Pacific.

By completing senior secondary school in Australia, students will have the necessary academic and leadership skills to pursue further education, training or employment pathways upon return to their home country or elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region. Students will also develop lifelong connections with Australia and their fellow Pacific alumni

Scholarship Program
Scholarships for secondary schooling in Australia are available to students who are both a citizen of, and resident in, a participating Pacific island country.

The scholarships program is currently designed for a 2.5 year course of school study in Australia. Students will transition to Australia in July for 6 months of Year 10. This transition period will provide a strong foundation for the next two years of senior secondary schooling.

Scholarship Benefits
As a financial award, the scholarship will cover the costs of education and accredited accommodation in Australia and other necessary costs to support a young person living away from home for international education. This includes travel costs to and from Australia, health insurance and a living allowance.

Area of Study
Scholars will be able to choose from a wide range of subjects at school in Australia. The only subject that is compulsory in Australia is English, and students will need to consider whether there are any compulsory subjects at home that they should study in Australia – especially Maths. Students will have the opportunity to choose both tertiary and vocational courses of study, depending on what is available at the school they attend and their own preferences. The school will provide career counselling and help students consider post-school pathways.

Eligibility
Applicants must meet scholarship eligibility criteria to be considered.You must:

• Be a resident in, and citizen of, one of the seven participating Pacific island countries:
  • Fiji
  • Kiribati
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Solomon Islands
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • Vanuatu

• Not be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
• At the time of application, be enrolled in and attending school. If you are selected, you must continue to attend school until you move to Australia to start your scholarship.
• Be at least 15 years of age as at 1 March 2020 and have not turned 18 years of age on or before 31 December 2020. This means you must still be 17 years of age at 31 December 2020.
• Have the signed approval of one of your parents or legal guardians and a written report from them explaining how they will support your performance and well being while you are on scholarship in Australia. If you are selected for an interview, you must bring the written approval of both parents or legal guardians.
• Have completed the application form in its entirety, including:
  • School history
  • Two [written] reference reports from your:
    • principal, addressing your attitude to learning, interests, attendance at school, any disciplinary actions and their assessment of your suitability to live and attend high school in Australia for 2.5 years.
    • a community representative, supporting your youth leadership in your community.

Eligibility  

• Meet the English language requirements for direct entry to a New South Wales or Queensland state government public high school in Australia. This means you have completed schooling taught in English for a minimum of two years. If you have not studied under an English language curriculum, you may be required to undertake an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test and meet the relevant minimum score, or agree to attend an Intensive English Centre in New South Wales or a High School Preparation Course in Queensland if selected .
• Meet any country specific eligibility criteria, if required.
• Be willing to apply to enrol in school in Australia.
• Be willing to apply for, and secure, a passport and a student visa to Australia (subclass 500 student visa).
• Be willing to undergo health examinations for immigration and scholarship processes.

School enrolment, visa applications and travel arrangements will be organised with assistance from the Program and costs will be covered.
If you meet these eligibility criteria, you will then be assessed against the selection criteria.
Girls and boys, students with a disability, and students from remote and rural communities are encouraged to apply.​
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Selection Process
The Pacific Secondary School Scholarships are a prestigious award for high performing students who can demonstrate leadership skills and personal qualities necessary for student success in the Program. Eligible students will undergo an independent, merit-based selection process. You will be assessed against the following scholarship selection criteria:

• Academic performance and attitude to schooling
  This scholarship is for academically high achieving students who have a clear record of regular school attendance, reflecting a positive attitude to learning. Students will need to submit at least two years academic transcripts with A and B grades across core subjects and undertake an independent academic test at the time of interview (if selected).
• Community service and youth leadership
  Applicants will need to demonstrate they are committed to, and making contributions to their community. You will have already developed some interest in community service and demonstrated aspects of leadership as a young person.
• Personal qualities
  There are some key qualities that will lead to success while on scholarship, including good levels of maturity, independence and resilience. The selection committee will be looking to see evidence of these qualities which demonstrate the student’s ability to contribute to the purposes of the scholarship program and cope with living away from home for an extended period of time.
• Parental support
  When parents are engaged in their child’s education there are generally improved academic outcomes. Being away from home can be stressful at times and the support of parents is critical at these moments. The evidence of parental support is a key selection criteria.
• Contribution to the Program’s Goals
  This scholarship provides a range of possible experiences for students. To get the most out of this scholarship, you need to be open to new experiences and meeting new people as part of becoming a well-rounded student.

If you are shortlisted based on your application, you will be invited to a face-to-face interview with a selection committee in your country.
A three person committee chaired by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and including representatives from the Australian schools sector and the Pacific island government will talk to you about your education and your aspirations. A parent or legal guardian will need to accompany you to the interview and explain how they would remain in contact with you and engaged in your education if you are successful in gaining a scholarship in Australia.
An equal number of scholarships will be offered to girls and boys. Students with a disability and students from remote and regional areas are encouraged to apply.
Provisional scholarships are subject to school enrolment and Australian immigration processes. Applicants will need a passport. The offer of a provisional scholarship does not guarantee school enrolment or a visa.

Application Process

Application Procedure 

Before you apply, please make sure you understand the scholarship process, are eligible to apply and meet the requirements of the selection criteria.
All applications should be completed and submitted via the online portal by the 1 March 2020 (annually) at 11:59pm AEST closing date. Please work carefully through the online application form. If you experience any challenges completing your online application form, or have any questions, please contact us immediately. You can also email your application to [email protected]. Please make sure that your hand writing is clear and legible. If you have any questions or experience any challenges completing or submitting the form, please contact them.

Apply Online  or visit : Official Website 


Scholarship Due date
Applications for the Pacific Secondary School Scholarships will open from Monday 3 February 2020 and close on 1 March 2020 at 11:59pm AEST. Representatives of the Program will be visiting secondary schools throughout the application period to promote the scholarships and advise you on how to apply.