Deadline:
August 27, 2025
Location(s)
Australia
Overview
The Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship is all about supporting everyday people with big ideas looking to pursue postgraduate research or coursework in areas related to sustainability, technology and innovation, social change or Australia’s relationship with Asia. Our aim is to empower these individuals to become leaders in their field, helping them to drive positive change and create a brighter tomorrow for Australia.
Our Future Leaders Scholars receive funding for their postgraduate study and living expenses, gain access to leadership and mentorship programs, have the opportunity to undertake overseas travel and participate in networking experiences with like-minded individuals, senior business leaders and industry-based experts.
Scholars must be intending to commence a postgraduate degree at one of our nine partner universities across Australia.
Details
These are the attributes we celebrate with our Westpac Future Leaders Scholarships – designed in conjunction with Australia’s leading universities to be a truly life-changing experience.
“This scholarship has been the single most transformative educational experience I’ve had. It has impacted my path enormously and I cannot emphasise how thankful I am to have had the opportunity, support and backing of Westpac Scholars to pursue my dreams.” - 2016 Westpac Future Leaders Scholar, Alex Schumann-Gillett.
Westpac Future Leaders Scholarships are among the most powerful development scholarships in Australia. As well as investing up to $120,000 over 2-3 years into your postgraduate studies, the Scholarship will also shape your leadership skills far and above your expectations.
Exceptional scholarships for exceptional people.
The scholarship supports individuals who are undertaking post-graduate study that will ultimately make a difference to Australia in one of three areas; technology and innovation, fostering Australian-Asian ties, and enabling positive social change. As well as your studies, the scholarship provides a nine-month Leadership Development Program which will build on your personal strengths and give you the insights, learning and inspiration you need to make your mark on the world.
From Australia, to beyond.
Naturally, good ideas deserve to go global. So we’ll encourage you to open up your mind to new experiences by heading overseas for up to six months to study. Whether it be at a world class university, an NGO or with a private organisation, you’re guaranteed to make valuable international connections and discover new insights to bring your vision to life.
We’ve already done the networking for you.
As a Westpac Future Leaders Scholar, you’ll become a part of the Westpac 100 Scholars Network. Lifelong membership to this network gives you access to one of Australia’s most diverse meetings of like-minds. Drawing on the Scholars’ strong sense of purpose and desire to collaborate, the network is designed to be inspiring, influential and a life-long learning experience.
What’s does it take to be a Westpac Future Leaders Scholar?
First, you’ll have exceptional ideas. Second, you’ll have the ambition and drive to bring those ideas to life. And above all else, you’ll have a generosity of spirit. Ultimately it’s this that fuels your desire to do great work. We’re offering 17 scholarships in 2021 to support your Masters or PhD studies, and are looking for switched-on, curious thinkers who have the inspiration, drive and ideas to change Australia – and potentially the world – for the better.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Who can apply?
To be eligible for a 2026 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship you must:
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Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
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Have completed your first undergraduate degree from 2020, or will complete your degree by 31 December 2025.
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Have achieved, or are on track to achieve, an average result of H1 or H2A equivalent or approx 75 WAM (the application form includes questions to provide further context to grades if required).
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Have chosen to undertake a full-time Masters by Coursework or Research or a PhD at one of our nine participating university partners.
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Must commence study in by July 2026. Current postgraduate students are not eligible.
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MD and Juris Doctor programs or a Masters by Coursework program longer than 2 years are also excluded.
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Study in an area that will contribute to the future of Australia in one of the Trust’s priority funding areas: Australia in Asia, Thriving Tech Sector, An Inclusive Australia and Sustainable Futures.
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Include in your proposed program of study international opportunities which will develop your leadership skills and global networks, such as study tours for the purpose of research, attending a short course or conference, a period of internship or volunteering.
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Have a worthy and viable post-study plan that benefits Australia.
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Supply two letters of reference, one academic reference and one personal reference. Reference templates provided once applications launch.
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If a finalist, be able to attend the interviews with the National Selection Panel in Sydney (date TBC late November, early December). Westpac Scholars Trust will cover domestic travel costs for finalist to attend.
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Be able to attend the Future Leaders Scholars Leadership Development Program in Sydney in mid-February and another date, to be confirmed, in August/September 2026.
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Be able to attend the Westpac Scholars Summit on April 2026.
Dates
Deadline: August 27, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
The Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship will provide funding of up to $120,000 to support study, research, global experience and access to the Leadership Development Program. The value of your proposed program of study or research may be less than $120,000, and will depend on the type of course or research program.
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