Graduate Teacher Scholarship

Final year teacher education students who meet the eligibility requirements can apply for a Graduate Teacher Scholarship.

No, current scholarship recipients who are already under a Scholarship Agreement with the department, are not eligible to apply.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is responsible for accrediting initial teacher education programs in NSW. Applicants are advised to refer to the NESA website to make sure that the program they are studying has been accredited.

Eligible applicants must be completing teacher education studies at a recognised Australian university that will lead to a qualification that meets the department’s and NESA's academic requirements for employment as a teacher of a subject area of need by the end of 2024.

The subject areas of need are:

• mathematics
• science (with physics)
• technological and applied studies (design and technology in combination with either: engineering studies or industrial technology – metal and/or timber)
• agriculture
• special education (years K - 6)
• special education (years 7 - 12)

No. The scholarship is only available to applicants who have not yet completed a NESA accredited undergraduate or graduate entry teaching degree. Approved teachers interested in gaining qualifications in additional teaching areas may be interested in the department's sponsored retraining programs.

Applicants are encouraged to commence and submit their application as early as possible during the application period.

No, incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

Prior to submitting an application for the Graduate Teacher Scholarship, applicants are required to commence the department’s approval to teach process through the Graduate Recruitment Program. Following this, applicants must complete the Graduate Teacher Scholarship application form which is available during the application period. Please register your interest to find out when applications are open.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email within three business days of submitting an application.

If a confirmation email is not received, applicants are advised to contact the Employment Programs Team at scholarships@det.nsw.edu.au.

NSW public schools are grouped into ten geographic locations called regions. Each region has a number of 'areas' for the purpose of staffing schools. Applicants are encouraged to download and view the organisation of public schools by staffing area resource. A scholarship holder is considered an employment applicant and therefore when selecting areas as part of the scholarship application, schools to which applicants are considered for appointment will align with the 'areas' for the purposes of staffing schools.

A selection panel will consider applications shortly after the closing date. The location preferences entered in an application, teaching subjects, academic achievement, practicum report(s) and teacher suitability interview/assessments outcome will be considered as part of the selection process.

The offer of a scholarship is dependent on the applicant:

1. Being enrolled in their final year of teacher education studies at a recognised Australian university that will lead to a qualification that meets the department's and NESA's academic requirements for employment as a teacher of either mathematics, science (with physics), special education (years K - 12), agriculture or selected Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) subjects.
2. Satisfying the conditions of a Working With Children Check, which is a prerequisite for anyone undertaking child-related work. The check involves a national criminal history check and a review of findings of workplace misconduct.
3. Meeting all recruitment requirements for approval as a permanent full-time teacher through the department's Graduate Recruitment Program approval to teach process.
4. Entering into a Scholarship Agreement, a legally binding agreement that outlines the responsibilities of both the scholarship applicant and the NSW Department of Education. The agreement also states the duration of the scholarship and the service commitment areas that were selected by the applicant during the application process.
5. Successfully completing an assessment of your English language proficiency. This is a requirement to gain an approval to teach in NSW public schools for applicants who have not completed the full four years of required higher education in a country where English is the main language.

Yes. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified of the outcome via email once the selection process has been completed. If an applicant changes their contact details after the closing date, they are advised to please email their updated contact details to the Employment Programs Team via scholarships@det.nsw.edu.au.

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

• successfully completing teacher education studies at a recognised Australian university that will lead to a qualification that meets the department’s and NESA's academic requirements for employment as a teacher of a subject area of need by the end of 2024. The subject areas of need are:
  • mathematics
  • science (with physics)
  • technological and applied studies (design and technology in combination with either: engineering studies or industrial technology - metal and/or timber)
  • agriculture
  • special education (years K - 6)
  • special education (years 7 - 12)
• successfully completing all recruitment requirements through the department's Graduate Recruitment Program approval to teach process for approval as a permanent teacher.
• accepting appointment as a permanent full-time teacher in a NSW public school in an agreed location on completion of their studies, commencing Term 1, 2025.
• remaining in the permanent full-time teaching position they are appointed to on completion of their studies for a minimum of three years.

Scholars are paid the $5,000 one-off training allowance upon commencement of the scholarship. Payment of the $10,000 appointment allowance will be arranged upon completion of studies.

Allowances are paid in the form of an electronic funds transfer (EFT) directly into an applicant's nominated bank account.

The $5,000 training allowance and $10,000 appointment allowance scholars receive must be declared as assessable income on annual income tax returns. Scholars may have tax withheld from their annual training allowance and appointment allowance. HECS-HELP repayments may also be withheld depending on individual circumstances.

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.

If a scholar is unable to fulfill the terms of the Scholarship Agreement, they will be required to repay the department for any monies paid to them as part of the Graduate Teacher Scholarship.

On successful completion of their teacher education studies, and subject to meeting requirements of the department’s approval to teach process, scholars are appointed to a full-time permanent teaching position in a NSW public school, in an agreed location.

Scholars may be notified of their appointment during their final semester of study.

The permanent teaching position will commence Term 1, 2025. A scholar may initially be appointed to a NSW public school temporarily as 'above establishment' until a suitable substantive vacancy arises.

On successful completion of their teacher education studies, scholars are appointed to a full-time permanent teaching position in a NSW public school in line with the agreed areas/schools confirmed within the Scholarship Agreement. Scholars should familiarise themselves with the schools located within each 'area'. Scholars will be given one appointment and will not be offered multiple appointments under the scholarship.

Yes. On completion of their teacher education 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 Teach NSW benefits calculator to find out about the benefits and incentives that are available to teachers at individual schools.