Potential funding opportunities in the Northern Territory
All of the opportunities listed below have conditions applicants need to comply with. Limits on the number of people who can apply, time limits and other restrictions may also apply.
· The Northern Territory Government offers a one-off grant of $300 to help first-year apprentices and trainees pay for the cost of buying workwear and equipment. The grant is not specific to maritime trainees and apprentices, and recipients must be eligible and registered.[1]
Potential funding opportunities for trainees and employees across Australia
Maritime scholarships and traineeships
· Maritime Employees Training Limited (METL) offers 24-month Integrated Ratings traineeships for training and sea time. Trainees are selected on merit and can complete their formal training at either South Metropolitan TAFE in Fremantle or the Australian Maritime College in Launceston. Upon completion of all requirements they obtain the MAR30220 Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Integrated Rating) and the (AMSA) issued occupational licence: Integrated Rating Certificate of Proficiency. METL pays the college fees, arranges and pays for accommodation, meals and travel as required, and pays the trainee wages.[2]
· The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has partnered with the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to offer several maritime scholarships, including[3]:
o AMSA Vocational Near Coastal Seafaring Scholarship[4]
o AMSA Sara Bool Women in Maritime Engineering Scholarship[5]
o AMSA First Year Access Scholarship for Maritime Studies.[6]
· The Australian Mariners Welfare Society offers maritime scholarships to the children of seafarers or ex-seafarers to study maritime courses at an RTO.[7] The scholarship awards $3,500 per semester for course fees, living and travel expenses to students who have low or moderate means.
Scholarships for specific groups
· The Sisters of Charity Foundation Tertiary Scholarship Program offers two scholarships for young people (27 years or under) who have been in out of home care, such as foster care (either currently or in the past).[8] The university scholarship is valued at up to $30,000 and the TAFE scholarship is valued at $5000. The scholarship is not specific to maritime studies.
· The Pinnacle Foundation offers annual scholarships and mentoring to people between 18-26 years of age who identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and are undertaking education in a public tertiary institution (university or TAFE).[9] The scholarship is not specific to maritime studies.
· Australian Veterans' Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT) offers annual education scholarships for children and grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enrol in a tertiary course at an Australian university, TAFE or a registered training organisation. Eligibility criteria include being able to demonstrate financial hardship.[10] The scholarship is not specific to maritime studies.
Please note that the above information was last updated in March 2026. Availability and eligibility requirements may have changed since that time.
If you know of a funding opportunity that isn’t listed, please contact us at maritimeskills@isajsc.org.au.
[1] Northern Territory Government Get the bonus for workwear and gear | NT.GOV.AU
[2] Maritime Industry Training Limited (METL)METL - METL Integrated Rating Traineeship
[4] University of Tasmania https://www.utas.edu.au/study/scholarships-fees-and-costs/domestic-scholarships/a-z?code=SCH_AMSAI
[5] University of Tasmania https://www.utas.edu.au/study/scholarships-fees-and-costs/domestic-scholarships/a-z?code=SCH_AMSAW
[6] University of Tasmania https://www.utas.edu.au/study/scholarships-fees-and-costs/domestic-scholarships/a-z?code=SCH_AMSAF
[7] Australian Maritime Welfare Society https://www.marinerswelfare.com/maritime-scholarships.html
[8] The Sisters of Charity Foundation, Tertiary Scholarship Program for Young People from Foster Care
[9] The Pinnacle Foundation Apply for a Scholarship - Pinnacle Foundation
[10] Australian Veterans Children's Assistance Trust Scholarships | Australian Veterans' Children Assistance Trust