If you have any questions about this scholarship, please email our team or call +61 3 9244 6333.
Need more information? Download the Deakin Scholarships Guide (PDF, 685.9KB).
Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Scholarship
Applications open Wednesday 10 June and close 5pm Wednesday 8 July 2026.
Supporting Indigenous students studying degrees related to mental health and wellbeing, in partnership with the Department of Health and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO).
Value
- 100% of your tuition fees.
- 100% of your Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
- cash payments of $1250 for each credit point you study each period.
Duration
- Awarded for the normal duration of the course.
- Open to both commencing and currently enrolled students. For current students, the scholarship applies from the time of award and does not apply to previous studies.
Am I eligible?
Ensure you meet all criteria before submitting an application. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be:
- an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
- an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- a resident of Victoria
- currently employed by, or intend to work for, an ACCO or mainstream health organisation in a Victorian Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) team or role
- enrolled in one of the following courses in Trimester/Semester 2, 2026:
- H300 - Bachelor of Health Sciences (majoring in Psychological Science or Psychology for Allied Health)
- H313 - Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion
- H330 - Bachelor of Social Work
- H344 - Bachelor of Psychological Science
- H355 - Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
- H452 - Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
- H558 - Graduate Certificate of Counselling
- H603 - Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science
- H650 - Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)
- H658 - Graduate Diploma of Counselling
- H744 - Master of Professional Psychology
- H750 - Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Deakin alumni discount
If you are successful in receiving an offer for this scholarship and you are eligible for the Deakin alumni discount, you can only hold one. You will be asked to nominate which arrangement you would like to hold. If you do not make a nomination, the Deakin alumni discount will automatically be withdrawn.
Maintaining this scholarship
To retain this scholarship in future years, you must:
- maintain satisfactory academic performance for the duration of the scholarship
- participate in an external evaluation of the scholarship whereby your contact details will be provided to an external organisation for the sole purpose of undertaking the evaluation to ensure the scholarship is meeting its outcomes and for implementing continuous quality improvement
- not be in receipt of any other scholarship
- acknowledge the Department of Health and VACCHO in all consequential media and documentation.
As a scholarship recipient, you agree to the following information being provided to VACCHO and the Department of Health (Mental Health and Wellbeing Division):
- ongoing scholarship and program progression information
- information for the provision of additional support
- survey results (de-identified)
- your name, program and scholarship may be publicly announced or otherwise published by the Department of Health and VACCHO
- any other evidence as reasonably required by the Department of Health and VACCHO from time to time.
Ready to apply?
Register and log in to Deakin's Scholarship Application Portal, then select ‘Undergraduate Scholarship Application Tri/Sem 2 2026’ or ‘Postgraduate Scholarship Application Tri/Sem 2 2026’. If eligible, your application will be considered for this scholarship and any others you may be eligible for.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to have an informal yarn with a small panel to get to know you, understand your career aspirations and why you are interested in this scholarship.
Numbers of this scholarship are limited; not all eligible applicants will receive one. If you're successful, you'll be notified via email; usually within four weeks of the application closing date. Unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted.
Supporting documents
Please include a letter of support from your employer outlining how they will:
- support flexible work arrangements and/or study leave so you can study full time or part time while working within an Aboriginal SEWB team
- support you through the mentor program.
If you are not currently employed by an ACCO or mainstream health organisation you may wish to upload a letter of support from a community member outlining your commitment to Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing and your ability to balance your personal and work commitments.
Please choose Document type 'Domestic scholarships - Evidence of leadership, volunteering or community activities or other achievement' when you upload your documents.
How to write a successful application
Applying for a scholarship isn't just about meeting the eligibility criteria. It’s your opportunity to stand out and be recognised for where you’ve come from and where you want to go.
Further information
If you would like guidance on how to apply for any of the courses listed above, please complete an Expression of Interest form. Once completed we will contact you within 24 hours to help get you started on your university journey.
Missed the application deadline?
The next offer period for this scholarship will be:
- Trimester/Semester 1, 2027 (mid-September 2026 to mid-January 2027)
Application dates provided are indicative only. Please check closer to the application period for specific opening and closing dates.
