Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Program

Financial support offered :

1050 scholarships are available over 3 years for domestic students undertaking Aged care-related courses ranging from Certificate III through to Masters programs. 

The scholarships will be funded upon successful completion of study units via reimbursement.

 

Course	Duration	Total Scholarship Amount
Certificate III in Individual Support		Up to $6,000
Certificate IV in Aged Care	Up to two years of full-time study	Up to $6,000
Diploma of Nursing	Up to two years of full-time study	Up to $20,000
Advanced Diploma in Nursing	Up to two years of full-time study	Up to $6,000
Undergraduate Degree/Bachelor of Nursing	3 years full-time or 6 years part-time	Up to $30,000
Graduate Certificate	1 year part-time	Up to $7,500
Graduate Diploma	2 years part-time	Up to $15,000
Masters	2 years full-time or 4 years part-time	Up to $30,000

 

Additional Support and Scholarship program benefits:

• Membership of the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, including associated member benefits

• Connections through memberships to mentorship and additional resources

• Dedicated scholar support

• Subscription to Ausmed (normally priced at $468) with access to over 1,250 clinical resources, including 556 aged care-specific topics.

• Access to Murra Mullangari: Introduction to Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility online course with the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses (CATSINaM), free for all scholars (normally priced at $495).

These additional benefits are all complementary for scholars during the term of their scholarship.

Ready to take the next step in your aged care career?

Here's what you need to do to apply for the scholarship program:

1. Check the Deadlines:

Applications for Round 2 are OPEN NOW

We encourage you to apply early! Application deadlines are strictly enforced, so be sure to submit your complete application package by 31 March 2026. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity!

2. Gather Your Documents:  

To complete your application, you'll need to prepare, or have ready the following information:

• A copy of your registration with NMBA (IF APPLICABLE ONLY) - for uploading - you can download your certificate from the NMBA website, or login and access your certificate HERE
• A copy of your course enrolment (if available/confirmed) for uploading
• A letter from your current employer confirming your employment in Aged Care
• A copy of your CV - to complete relevant details on the portal

3. Apply Online:

APPLICATION PORTAL OPEN NOW

Please read the Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Guidelines before applying.

Eligibility

Q. Can I apply for the scholarship program?
A. You can apply if you:

• Currently working in an Aged Care setting such as, but not limited to:

  • Residential Aged Care

  • Home Care

  • Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector

• Are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

  • Note: Applicants with a Skilled - Nominated (subclass 190) visa are not considered a permanent resident under this scholarship and are ineligible to apply.

• Enroled in, or intending to enrol in, an eligible tertiary institution course relevant to Aged Care

We especially encourage applications from:

• First Nations applicants who can serve their communities.

• Applicants living and working in regional, rural and remote Australia

 

Q. What kind of courses are eligible for the scholarship?

A. Applicants will need to demonstrate the relevance of their chosen course of study to the aged care workforce settings. 

Eligible courses may include but are not limited to:

• Certificate III in Individual Support;

• Certificate IV in Ageing Support;

• Diploma of Nursing;

• Advanced Diploma in Nursing;

• Undergraduate Degree/Bachelor of Nursing;

• Graduate Certificate;

• Graduate Diploma; and

• Masters

 

Q. I am not currently enroled but still want to apply for a scholarship. Can I still apply?

A: Yes. If you are not enroled at the time of application, and receive a scholarship, you will have 6 months to provide proof of enrolment in the nominated course (must match application), along with the course commencement and expected completion dates. We strongly recommend that you carefully check if the course is suitable for you before applying, as the scholarship cannot be transferred to a different course once awarded.

 

Q. Are there any restrictions on which study providers I can complete my course through?

A: Yes. Your course must be delivered by a provider registered with either TEQSA (Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency) or ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority). 

 

Q. What kind of programs are NOT eligible for the scholarship?

A. Ineligible areas of study include, but are not limited to:

• Emergency

• Surgical

• Critical Care

• Perioperative

• Organ and Tissue

• Orthopaedic

• Acute Care

• Cosmetic

• Neonatal

• Paediatric

In accordance with the guidelines, all courses must be relevant to Aged Care.

 

Scholarship Benefits

Q. How much financial support will I receive? 

A. The scholarship offers full or partial support depending on your needs. It will cover :

• A reimbursement of tuition fees for your chosen aged care course undertaken through an eligible tertiary institution (only for units underway, and future units within the course).

Once tuition is fully covered, the following ancillary costs can be considered on request:

• Textbooks or related course materials

• Contributions to IT equipment required for study

• Approved clinical placement expenses (receipts required), once all course fees have been funded.

The scholarship will NOT cover:

• Retrospective funding for units already completed

• Additional units or any change of study program from that specified in the scholarship application

• Any study not at an eligible tertiary institution

• Living expenses

 

Q. How do I receive the scholarship money?

A. Scholarship funds are paid directly to the scholar. The scholar is responsible for paying the institution the full amount owing as per their itemised invoice. Funds are reimbursed to the student. When a scholar has successfully completed one or more units of study, they must submit their claim for scholarship funding as soon as possible, and no later than four weeks after their study period has ended.
For approved clinical placement expenses, you'll be reimbursed after submitting receipts, once all course fees have been paid.

 

Q. What are some key tips for applying

A. To improve your chances of acceptance of a scholarship, ensure you:

• Read the scholarship guidelines thoroughly.

• Address the scholarship criteria: How does your chosen course assist your current career in aged care?

• Answer all questions in full, do not leave answers blank, and ensure you address the criteria.

• Don't use AI, individual responses are required.

• Upload a full record of your enrolment, or, if you have already commenced, a transcript that reflects your study units completed or credited, units underway, and units remaining.

• Upload a supporting letter from your employer in Aged Care that is no more than 2 weeks old

• Declare any other funding or scholarships

 

Q. I need to upload proof of employment in Aged Care. What is considered acceptable evidence?

A. Evidence of current employment in Aged Care is essential for your scholarship application. You will need to provide one of the following documents, dated within 2 weeks of your application:

1. A current payslip

2. A letter from your employer

3. A statement of service

Note: Letter/Statement needs to be signed and dated.

 

Q. I completed my secondary education overseas. How should I fill in this section of the application form?

A. Australian Citizens/ Permanent residents of Australia who studied their final year of secondary education overseas are still eligible to apply. When completing the secondary education section of the application form, please:

1. Enter your year level.

2. Enter your school name and country.

3. For the state/territory field, please select the Australian state or territory where you currently reside.

 

Q. I have received a scholarship but am not enrolled in a course. Is there a timeframe for when I need to be enrolled so I don’t lose my scholarship?

A. Yes. If you are not enrolled at the time of application, you will have 6 months to provide proof of enrolment in the nominated course, along with the course commencement and expected completion dates.

 

Q. Can I apply more than once?

A. You can apply more than once. However, first priority will be given to those who have not already received a scholarship under this program.

  

Q. Do I need to reapply for the scholarship each semester?

A. The scholarship is approved for the full course, so there is no requirement to update or reapply each semester.

You only need to notify us of any changes, such as deferring a semester.

 

Q. Can I contact the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) for further questions?

A. Absolutely! The ACNP is here to help. If you have any questions about the scholarship program itself, you can contact them at:

Email: agedcarescholarship@acnp.org.au
Phone: 1300 672 083

TERMS AND CONDITIONS COMING SOON

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.

Email: agedcarescholarship@acnp.org.au
Phone: 1300 672 083

External nursing scholarships available

• Australian Seniors Aged Care Futures Grant

• NSW Health Nursing & Midwifery scholarships

• Commonwealth Nursing &  Midwifery scholarships; Rural and remote

• NSW Nurses & Midwives Association

• University of New England Nursing scholarships

• APNA

• John Monash Scholarships

• Health Workforce Scholarship Program (Victoria) – RWAV

• Real Futures Grant

• Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme (PHMSS) - Indigenous Allied Health Australia

• Scholarships – Australian College of Nursing

• Scholarships Australian College of Midwives