Potential funding opportunities in Victoria 

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 Skills First program provides Victorian Government subsidies for some maritime training programs offered at TAFE Gippsland Lakes Entrance (Seamec) and South West TAFE Portland[1].

·         The Retrenched Apprentice and Trainee Program helps people who have lost their job whilst completing an apprenticeship or traineeship to find a new employer, so they can complete it.[2]

·         Fee Free TAFE is available to complete a Cert IV TAE (training and assessment) for people who have already completed a free TAFE course.[3]

Victorian scholarships

·        The MEGT Foundation Scholarship Program is an annual scholarship offered in Victoria and South Australia. It supports eligible women experiencing personal disadvantage to return to study.[4] The scholarship funding may cover a variety of expenses including course fees, childcare, living costs, a laptop, WIFI and/or travel. The program also includes individual coaching and Community of Practice events.

·        South West TAFE offers a Portland First Nations scholarship to assist with the cost of studies. First Nations students at Portland campus can apply for up to $800 to assist with course fees or eligible study resources. The scholarship is supported by Wurreker.[5]

·         The Aunty Laura Bell Scholarship provides up to $2,000 for a First Nations student from South West TAFE who is studying selected courses in training or education, including the Certificate IV TAE (training and assessment). The scholarship can be used to for course fees or eligible study resources and is supported by Wurreker.[6]

·         TAFE Gippsland offers a range of scholarships valued at $500 for students, including:[7]

o        The Koorie Academy of Excellence (KAE) Scholarship for two students who have studied at KAE the previous year.

o        The Koorie Support Scholarship for Koorie students who are financially disadvantaged (four per year)

o        The Student Support Scholarship is for students who are financially disadvantaged (eight per year).

o        A Travel Scholarship for rural students in the Gippsland community (eight per year).

o        A Placement Scholarship to assist students with the cost of community of industry placement (eight per year).

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.[8]

·         The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has partnered with the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to offer several maritime scholarships, including[9]:

o   AMSA Vocational Near Coastal Seafaring Scholarship[10]

o   AMSA Sara Bool Women in Maritime Engineering Scholarship[11]

o   AMSA First Year Access Scholarship for Maritime Studies.[12]

·         The Australian Mariners Welfare Society offers maritime scholarships to the children of seafarers or ex-seafarers to study maritime courses at an RTO.[13]  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).[14] 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).[15]  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.[16] The scholarship is not specific to maritime studies.