Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship (Australia)

The Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship supports Australia’s future leaders by providing an enriching postgraduate experience for talented individuals to study a tone of Australia’s leading universities and participate in a bespoke, nine-month, Leadership Development Program. Scholars also have the chance to add a global context to their education, with tailored international experiences of up to six months.

Focus Areas

• Scholarship recipients will be exceptional people, chosen for their ability to make a difference to Australia’s future in one of their four focus areas:
  • Sustainable Futures
    • Responding and adapting to climate change is one of the world’s most urgent challenges. They want to accelerate innovative solutions to reduce Australia’s environmental impact and build a more sustainable future.
  • Australia in Asia
    • The Asia Pacific is a dynamic and complex region deeply intertwined with Australia’s future. They want to strengthen people to people connections and foster ideas beyond borders.
  • An Inclusive Country
    • Their nation holds enough space for all Australians to be included. They want to back changemakers building resilient communities and overcoming social injustice.
  • Thriving Tech Sector
    • Technology is intertwined with their future, and today’s bold ideas will transform lives tomorrow. They want to back the next generation of innovators creating solutions to benefit all Australians.

Benefits                           

• Up to 17 Future Leader scholarships are awarded every year.
• Should you be chosen, you’ll get access to:
  • Generous funding
    • Receive fully flexible financial support for your postgraduate studies and living expenses with up to $120,000 provided over 2-3 years.
  • Leadership development
    • Build the solid foundations of a leader with their bespoke nine-month course and personal development program.
  • Overseas experiences
    • Spend up to six months abroad as part of your studies to gain a global perspective and connect with industry leaders around the world.

Duration

• Funding is available to commence in 2025 for the following maximum periods (inclusive of an international experience of up to 6 months):
  • Masters by Coursework – program must be completed within 2 years.
  • Masters by Research – program must be completed within 3 years; and
  • PhD – program must be completed within 4 years.

Who can apply?

• They’re looking for Australia’s best and brightest. To be eligible to apply you must:
  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
  • Have completed your first undergraduate degree from 2019, or will complete your degree by 31 December 2024.
  • Have achieved, or are on track to achieve, an average result of H1 or H2A equivalent or approx 75 WAM.
  • Have chosen to undertake a full-time Masters by Coursework or Research or a PhD at one of their participating university partners.
  • Must commence study in 2025. Current postgraduate students are not eligible. MD and Juris Doctor programs or any Masters by Coursework program longer than 2 years are also excluded.
  • Study in an area that will contribute to the future of Australia in one of the Trust’s priority funding areas: Australia in Asia, Thriving Tech Sector, An Inclusive Australia and Sustainable Futures.
  • Include in your proposed program of study international opportunities which will develop your leadership skills and global networks, such as study tours for the purpose of research, attending a short course or conference, a period of internship or volunteering.
  • Have a worthy and viable post-study plan that benefits Australia.
  • Supply two letters of reference, one academic reference and one personal reference.
  • Be able to attend the National Assessment Centre in Sydney on 4-5 December 2024.
  • Be able to attend the Future Leaders Scholars Leadership Development Program in Sydney in mid-February and another date, to be confirmed, in August.
  • Be able to attend the Westpac Scholars Summit on 7-8 April 2025.

For more information, visit Westpac Scholars.