- Applications now open for the Western Australian Premier’s Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) Bursary
- Applications for the Western Australian Premier’s University Scholarship open in March 2023
- International Student Accommodation Subsidy and ELICOS Bursary to continue in Semester 1, 2023
- Programs aim to support the State’s international education sector following the COVID-19 pandemic
Eligible international students studying at a Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) international school are being encouraged to apply for the new Western Australian Premier’s WACE Bursary, which launches today.
The Western Australian Premier’s WACE Bursary will provide up to 50 one-year $20,000 scholarships available annually to eligible offshore WACE graduates who enrol to study an undergraduate course at one of the State’s five universities.
These scholarships are open to students who have graduated from an offshore WACE school, and will provide financial support for living, travel and course costs.
Applications for the first round of the Western Australian Premier’s WACE Bursary are now open and close on 31 January 2023.
In March 2023, applications will open for the Western Australian Premier’s University Scholarship, which also launches today.
Ten one-off $50,000 scholarships will be available annually for eligible international students from target and priority markets studying an eligible postgraduate course at one of the State’s five universities. Each university will have two scholarships to award annually.
Thirteen target and priority markets have been identified for the 2023 scholarships. These include Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Brazil, Colombia, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
In the 2022-23 State Budget, the McGowan Government allocated $6 million over four years to develop and implement the Western Australian Premier’s University Scholarship and WACE Bursary.
In total, the McGowan Government committed $41.2 million through this State Budget to boost the State’s international education sector following the COVID-19 pandemic and to rebuild the pipeline of students to the State’s quality education institutions.
Before COVID-19, WA welcomed 53,000 international students from more than 150 countries to the State annually, and we are now starting to see these numbers rebound again.
The State Government has also committed $7 million to continue the International Student Accommodation Subsidy (ISAS) and International Student ELICOS Bursary (ISEB) in Semester 1, 2023.
Announced as part of the $195 million Reconnect WA package in December 2021, the ISAS and ISEB aim to support eligible international students arriving onshore in WA by providing one-off payments of $1500 to support accommodation and ELICOS course expenses.
For more information on all of these programs, including eligibility details and how to apply, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-jobs-tourism-science-and-innovation/support-international-education.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“Western Australia is a great place to live, work and study, and my Government is committed to bringing international students back to WA and supporting the growth of this sector.
“We also know that international students bring a diverse range of experiences and knowledge to our universities and community more broadly, and scholarships and grants are essential to attracting these high calibre students from across the world.”
As stated by International Education Minister David Templeman:
“With our world-class universities, strong economy, wealth of job opportunities and desirable lifestyle, WA is a study destination like no other.
“Programs like the Western Australian Premier’s WACE Bursary and University Scholarship, and the continuation of the ISAS and ISEB programs will help international students choose WA, and promote our State as a desirable education destination.
“International students are an asset to our State and we look forward to welcoming them back as part of the Western Australian community.”
Premier’s office – 6552 5000
