Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship

The scholarship is open to eligible permanent, temporary and casual teachers and school leaders. Specific criteria is dependent on an applicant's employment status. Applicants will need to check the eligibility criteria to find out if they meet the requirements to apply.

Approved teachers with a department recognised qualification in inclusive/special education may be eligible to apply to specialise in the area of deaf and hard of hearing or blind and low vision.

Yes, applicants who have a 'flagged status' for inclusive/special education are eligible to apply for an Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship.

Yes, however an applicant must still hold a current permanent approval to teach and be prepared to return to their substantive school-based position or accept an appointment to a school within the nominated school education areas at the completion of their studies.

If an applicant has relinquished their school-based position, they must still hold a current permanent approval to teach and be prepared to accept an appointment to a school within the nominated school education areas at the completion of their studies.

Please note that applicants will be asked to nominate their school education areas in the scholarship application form.

If an applicant holds a casual approval to teach following separation they will need to reapply for their permanent approval to teach.

Scholarship recipients have up to 2 years to complete their master's degree or graduate diploma under the scholarship. Each university may have additional completion requirements.

Inclusive Practice in Education applicants need to enrol in either a:

• recognised master's degree in inclusive/special education
• master's degree with a specialisation in the area of deaf and hard of hearing or blind and low vision
• graduate diploma in inclusive/special education.

A list of universities that offer recognised courses can be found below. Please note that for a course to be recognised it must include a practicum. The list below is not exhaustive and not all programs available at the university will be recognised by the department.

Please contact 1300 300 634 or email sponsoredtraining@det.nsw.edu.au to confirm if a degree or graduate diploma is a recognised inclusive/special education qualification or for any program questions or inquiries.

Universities may offer programs which haven’t previously been assessed by the department. In order for a preferred program of study to be considered, please provide a full course outline for consideration by the department.

The following universities offer a recognised master's degree in inclusive/special education:

• Australian Catholic University
• Charles Sturt University
• Deakin University
• Flinders University
• La Trobe University
• Macquarie University
• University of Melbourne
• University of Newcastle
• University of New South Wales
• University of New England
• University of Sydney
• University of Wollongong
• Western Sydney University

The following universities offer a recognised graduate diploma in inclusive/special education:

• Macquarie University
• University of Southern Queensland

The following universities offer a recognised master's degree with specialisation in the area of deaf and hard of hearing or blind and low vision:

• Macquarie University
• University of Newcastle
• University of Melbourne

Applications for the Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship are now closed. You can subscribe to the mailing list for updates about the program.

During the application period, an ‘Apply now’ button will be available on the Inclusive Practice in Education webpage which will direct you to the application form.

The application form is in a writable PDF format and can be completed by downloading the Application form to your computer, using Adobe Reader to complete the form. Please ensure you use the 'download' function and not 'print to PDF and save' as this changes the formatting of the document.

If you have not signed a form using an electronic signature before, the department’s intranet has information regarding setting up an electronic signature. Please view the how-to guide for more information.

Please ensure that your Adobe is up to date. All latest software is available through the staff portal. For additional support please contact EDConnect on 1300 32 32 32 and select Option 5.

Hand written, photocopied or scanned applications will not be accepted.

An applicant will need to provide the following supporting documentation:

• evidence of any non NSW Department of Education teaching experience listed on the application in the form of a statement of service from an employer stating the period of employment, number of teaching days and any leave without pay
• a current principal’s supporting statement on the template provided
• a referee’s supporting statement on the template provided
• a supporting statement which will appear on page 3 and 4 of the scholarship application form
• evidence of enrolment (once available) in a recognised postgraduate master’s degree or graduate diploma program. It is preferred that applicants enrol in a recognised master's degree or graduate diploma program and present this evidence with their application for the scholarship. It is suggested that applicants liaise with their university to confirm the final date for withdrawal without financial penalty, should their application for the scholarship be unsuccessful.
  

As part of the application process, applicants will be asked to provide a supporting statement from their current principal along with one other supporting statement from a supervisor or colleague.

A principal may request a delegate to complete the Principal’s Supporting Statement, however both delegate and principal must co-sign the form.

If a principal has completed the Principal’s Supporting Statement, a delegate isn’t required to counter sign.

If an applicant is unable to gain a principal’s endorsement they may provide a supporting statement from their most recent supervising stage leader or head teacher. The Employment Programs Team in the School Workforce Directorate may seek further information if the application progresses.

Once applications are open, an applicant should submit their application as soon as it is completed and before the specified closing date.

No, incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

Yes, if an applicant is currently self-funding either their master’s degree or graduate diploma and are successful in their scholarship application they will be sponsored for their enrolled subjects commencing Semester/Session/Trimester 1, 2025. The scholarship recipient will receive a pro-rata amount for their training allowance, determined by the number of subjects they have left to study.

The department will not provide retrospective payments for subjects previously self-funded.

If an applicant is already the recipient of a scholarship or sponsorship for inclusive/special education, they will not be eligible to apply for an Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship. Please contact the Employment Programs Team if any clarification is required.

A selection panel will consider all applications shortly after the closing date. Scholarship applicants who are shortlisted will be invited to attend an online interview to identify their capabilities, key knowledge areas and personal attributes to determine their suitability.

Invitations to attend an interview will be sent via email from a third-party provider and not a department email address. Applicants should ensure they check the email address they provided in their application for the interview invitation.

Scholars are required to undertake a practicum in order to meet the requirements of their scholarship and be eligible to receive a permanent role as a specialist educator.

Practicums are not required to occur in specific settings. Practicums must be between 10-20 days to meet department requirements, but specifics will be set by the university. The department encourages applicants to contact universities to find out exactly what is expected.

The department recommends that applicants seek to study through a university where they are not only gaining a qualification but where they are able to strengthen their knowledge through relevant practical experience. This is where practicums in a range of settings would be valuable including mainstream, support unit/class or school for specific purposes (SSP).

Yes. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified of the outcome via email once the selection process is complete. If an applicant changes their contact details after the closing date, they are requested to email their updated contact details to the Employment Programs team at sponsoredtraining@det.nsw.edu.au.

Yes, if an applicant would like feedback on their application, they are encouraged to contact the department's Employment Programs team at sponsoredtraining@det.nsw.edu.au.

The total maximum amount payable to recipients of the scholarship is $23,000 and will be paid via electronic funds transfer (EFT) directly into a scholar's nominated bank account.

Scholarship funds will be included alongside a scholar's regular pay and are subject to tax. Scholars will be eligible to receive the full $23,000 if they are completing a minimum of 8 subjects studied while on scholarship. If a scholar does not complete a minimum of 8 subjects, they will be paid a pro-rata amount, that being $2,500 per subject studied while on scholarship.

The department will not provide an allowance for subjects previously failed and reattempted, or subjects for which a scholar receives advanced standing or academic credit.

The following payment scenario is an example based on the master’s degree or graduate diploma pathway being completed in one year with 4 subjects being studied each semester.

1. Up to $10,000 paid once the Employment Programs team receives confirmation of a scholar's enrolment in an approved master’s degree or graduate diploma. This is based on evidence of enrolment in at least 4 subjects of a master’s degree or graduate diploma.
2. Up to $10,000 paid once the Employment Programs team receives confirmation of a scholar's successful mid-way completion of an approved master’s degree or graduate diploma and evidence of enrolment into at least 4 more subjects of a master’s degree or graduate diploma for the following semester.
3. $3,000 paid once the Employment Programs team receives confirmation that a scholar has successfully completed their approved master’s degree or graduate diploma.

Alternatively, if a scholar will be completing 8 units over 2 years, their training allowance payments will be paid on receipt of evidence of enrolment each semester and paid at a rate of $2,500 per subject.

The maximum two $10,000 annual training allowances and $3,000 completion allowance payable to scholars will be paid in the regular pay cycle and taxed accordingly.

Any money paid to a scholar by the department must be declared as assessable income on annual income tax returns. Scholars will have tax withheld from their annual training allowance and completion allowance. HECS-HELP repayments may also be withheld. If a scholar has any taxation questions it is recommended that they seek independent financial and/or taxation advice.

It should be noted that if a scholar withdraws from the scholarship program or breaches the terms and conditions of their scholarship agreement and incurs a liability, that the amount repayable is calculated based on the gross amount paid under the scholarship agreement.

No, scholars will receive up to $23,000 throughout their training, paid in instalments, dependant on their study pattern and on receipt of their semester enrolment advice. Funds will be paid to scholars alongside their regular pay and will be taxed.

Scholarship training allowance payments for enrolled subjects may be made before, on or after the university census date and therefore scholars will need to follow their university’s directions as to when course fees are payable.

Please note, scholars will need to cover any additional out-of-pocket expenses, and some courses may cost more than the maximum $23,000 provided by the scholarship.

The total amount paid by the department for this scholarship program is capped at $23,000.

The department will not pay for any subject for which a scholar receives advanced standing for or academic credit granted.

Applicants who are permanent teachers and school leaders should read the eligibility criteria to determine if they are eligible to apply for the Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship.

Yes, if an itinerant teacher, hearing or vision, meets the eligibility criteria for the Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship for the generalist inclusive/special education teaching codes, they can apply.

Yes, a permanent teacher will have the option to remain at their school while they undertake their qualification and once their studies have been completed.

Successful applicants are required to sign a Scholarship Agreement with the department, committing them to:

1. complete a master's degree in inclusive/special education, a master's degree specialising in the area of deaf and hard of hearing or blind and low vision, or a graduate diploma in inclusive/special education within 2 years
2. remain in the department's employment for at least 3 years as a permanent full-time teacher following the completion of their studies.

Scholarship recipients who are permanent teachers can apply for up to 8 days of paid study leave per academic year (study leave is granted on a pro-rata basis for part-time employees or for those who are studying for one semester only in the academic year).

The study leave day(s) must be approved by a scholar's principal. The principal can request relief funds be reimbursed to the school if a casual teacher was employed to replace a scholar for the day(s). Teachers will retain their full salary while on study leave. A scholar may choose to access the available study leave to complete coursework, attend exams or practicums.

An application form for study leave and request for relief funds form will be provided to scholarship recipients.

Applicants who are casual or temporary teachers or school leaders should read the eligibility criteria to determine if they are eligible to apply for the Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship.

While engaged in a full-time temporary capacity, scholars can apply for up to 8 days of paid study leave per academic year (study leave is granted on a pro-rata basis for part-time employees or if they are studying for one semester only in the academic year). The study leave day(s) must be approved by a scholar's principal. The principal can request relief funds be reimbursed to the school if a casual teacher was employed to replace a scholar for the day(s). Teachers will retain their full salary while on study leave. A scholar may choose to access the available study leave to complete coursework, attend exams or practicums.

An application form for study leave and request for relief funds form will be provided to scholarship recipients.

Study leave is not available for casual teachers.

Upon successful completion of a scholar's master’s degree or graduate diploma program they will be appointed to a full-time permanent inclusive/special education teaching position in a NSW public school, in one of the nominated locations in line with their Scholarship Agreement.

A scholar may be notified of their appointment as early as 2 school terms prior to the anticipated completion of their inclusive/special education qualification, or earlier, depending on available vacancies at the time.

A scholar's appointment may be in either a primary or secondary school setting, or a School for Specific Purposes. The location of the permanent appointment is non-negotiable.

As part of the application process, temporary and casual teachers will be asked to select either 'Anywhere in the State' or individual school education areas where they would like to be appointed on completion of their studies.

If a scholar selects to be appointed 'Anywhere in the State', they are agreeing to be appointed to a school in one of the following school education areas: Albury, Armidale, Bankstown, Batemans Bay, Bathurst, Blacktown, Bondi, Bourke, Broken Hill, Campbelltown, Central Coast, Clarence/Coffs Harbour, Deniliquin, Dubbo, Fairfield, Granville, Griffith, Hornsby, Lake Macquarie, Lismore, Liverpool, Maitland, Moree, Mount Druitt, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Northern Beaches, Orange, Parramatta, Penrith, Port Jackson, Port Macquarie, Queanbeyan, Ryde, Shellharbour, St George, Sutherland, Tamworth, Taree, Tweed Heads/Ballina, Wagga Wagga, Windsor and Wollongong.

Alternatively, a scholar may also choose to select:

• one school education area from the following list of priority areas of workforce need: Bathurst, Bourke, Broken Hill, Dubbo, Griffith, Moree, Orange and Queanbeyan; or
• a minimum of 2 school education areas, from the following areas of workforce need: Albury, Armidale, Bankstown, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Central Coast, Clarence/Coffs Harbour, Deniliquin, Fairfield, Granville, Liverpool, Lismore, Maitland, Mount Druitt, Muswellbrook, Penrith, Tamworth, Taree, Wagga Wagga and Windsor.
• in addition to the above selections, a scholar may also nominate any of the following school education areas: Batemans Bay, Bondi, Hornsby, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Port Jackson, Port Macquarie, Ryde, Shellharbour, St George, Sutherland, Tweed Heads/Ballina and Wollongong. Please note that appointments to priority areas of workforce need are preferenced.

To view the schools located in each geographic area of workforce need please view the NSW public schools by staffing area spreadsheet resource.

NSW public schools are grouped into geographic locations called 'Principal Networks'. Each principal network has a number of 'areas' for the purpose of staffing schools. Applicants are encouraged to download and view the NSW public schools by staffing area spreadsheet resource.

Sponsorship holders are considered an employment applicant and therefore when selecting Staffing Areas as part of their sponsorship application, schools to which they are considered for appointment will align with the 'areas' for the purposes of staffing schools.

Yes. On completion of their studies and appointment to a permanent position, scholars may be eligible for a wide range of benefits and incentives. The benefits vary from school to school. Use the department's benefits calculator to find out about the benefits and incentives that are available to teachers at individual schools.