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, 590KB).
Ernie Williams Indigenous Nursing Scholarship
Applications open Monday 8 September 2025 and close 5pm Wednesday 28 January 2026.
The Ernie Williams Indigenous Nursing Scholarships support Indigenous students enrolled in nursing at Deakin who are experiencing financial hardship.
Value
- Cash payments of up to $6500 per year. Total scholarship value up to $19,500 depending on remaining full-time duration of course.
Duration
- This scholarship is awarded for the remaining full-time duration of the course up to a maximum of three years.
Am I eligible?
Ensure you meet all criteria before submitting an application. If you've already submitted an equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships application through VTAC, you'll automatically be considered for this scholarship – there's no need to reapply for this scholarship direct to Deakin.
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be:
- an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
- enrolled in Trimester 1, 2026 in one of the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Nursing (H326)
- Bachelor of Nursing (Clinical Leadership) (H329)
- Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) (H421)
- Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery (D355)
- Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Psychological Science (D387)
- Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion (D381)
- be able to demonstrate financial hardship through the receipt of a Centrelink benefit or have a personal or family taxable income below the threshold determined by the University.
Maintaining this scholarship
To retain this scholarship, you'll need to:
- provide an introductory statement about your goals for study and what it means to receive the scholarship
- be open to participating in a reasonable level of engagement with the donor
- maintain a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60 for the duration of the scholarship
- provide a yearly impact statement
- submit a completion statement at the conclusion of your study.
Ready to apply?
If you've already submitted an equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships application through VTAC, you'll automatically be considered for this scholarship – there's no need to reapply direct to Deakin.
Alternatively, register and log in to Deakin's Scholarship Application Portal, then select 'Undergraduate Scholarship Application Tri/Sem 1 2026'.
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 six weeks of the application closing date. Unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted.
Supporting documents
As part of the application process you're required to upload supporting documentation by the specified closing date. These should be current, relevant and concise.
Evidence of your financial hardship is required for this scholarship.
Make sure you choose the correct document type when you upload your documents – it will make a difference. If your documents are uploaded into the incorrect type they will not be considered when assessing your application. Remember, it's quality, not quantity, you need to provide.
If your application is successful, you will also be asked to provide documentation confirming you are of Aboriginal descent from Australia or a descendant of an Indigenous inhabitant of the Torres Strait Islands. You will be required to provide one of the following documents:
- Confirmation of Aboriginality
- Local Aboriginal Land Council letter
- Parents' Certificate of Aboriginality (COA) with birth certificate
- Letter from a local Indigenous cooperative
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.
Missed the application deadline?
This scholarship is yet to be confirmed for any future offerings. Please check back for updates.
