Disclaimer Information - This scholarship is offered and administered by external organisation, Westpac Scholars Trust. The information and timeline may be updated in accordance with their updates / advice.

The Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship supports Australia’s future leaders by providing an enriching postgraduate experience for talented individuals to study at one of Australia’s leading universities, participate in a bespoke leadership program and form a global network of connections.

• Current Students

• Centre for Aboriginal Studies
• Faculty of Business and Law
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Science & Engineering
  • Science courses
  • Engineering courses
  • Western Australian School of Mines (WASM)

• Postgraduate coursework
• Higher Degree by Research
• Staff/Post-doctoral

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident

• Merit Based

The Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship is valued up to $120,000, provided over 2-3 years. If your application is successful, the university where you will be taking up your study or research will work with you to finalise the value of your scholarship. You are required to prepare a draft scholarship budget up to $120,000 as part of your application, which should include the following costs (excluding GST):

• Leadership program,
• University course fees, which may include the fee balance of a Commonwealth-supported place (CSP) course or fee-paying coursework program,
• If applicable, personal stipend or RTP Scholarship top-up,
• Conference  and short course fees,
• Equipment and consumables,
• Travel; and
• Publication and dissemination costs.

Please note that your application is not assessed on the amount of your request, but rather the thought and consideration behind your plans (particularly the international component).

• Masters by coursework
• Masters by research
• PhD

To be eligible for a 2026 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship you must:

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Have completed your first undergraduate degree from 2020, or will complete your degree by 31 December 2025.
• Have achieved, or are on track to achieve, an average result of H1 or H2A equivalent or approx 75 WAM (the application form will include questions to provide further context to grades if required).
• Have chosen to undertake a full-time Masters by Coursework or Research or a PhD at one of our nine participating university partners.
• Must commence study in by July 2026. Current postgraduate students are not eligible.
• MD and Juris Doctor programs or a Masters by Coursework program longer than 2 years are also excluded.
• 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.
• 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.
• Have a worthy and viable post-study plan that benefits Australia.
• Supply two letters of reference, one academic reference and one personal reference. Reference templates provided once applications launch.
• If a finalist, be able to attend the interviews with the National Selection Panel in Sydney (Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th December). Westpac Scholars Trust will cover domestic travel costs for finalist to attend.
• 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.
• Be able to attend the Westpac Scholars Summit in April 2026.

Selection is based on a candidate’s outstanding academic achievements, world-class program of study, and focus on one or more of the Westpac Scholars Trust's focus areas. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

• academic excellence and achievements to date;
• the ability to articulate how their proposed program of study has the potential to contribute to the future growth and prosperity of Australia in one of the Foundation’s priority funding areas,
• the attributes of a Westpac Future Leaders Scholar, and
• a strong sense of connection to Australia and the desire to give back.

Tips for a strong application

Selection is based on a candidate’s outstanding academic achievements, world-class program of study, and focus on one or more of the Westpac Scholars Trust's priority areas. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

• academic excellence and achievements to date;
• the ability to articulate how their proposed program of study has the potential to contribute to the future growth and prosperity of Australia in one of the Foundation’s priority funding areas,
• the attributes of a Westpac Future Leaders Scholar; and
• a strong sense of connection to Australia and the desire to give back

Selection Process:

The selection process is a comprehensive approach that draws on a range of online assessment tools and the expertise of selection panels within the Westpac Scholars Trust, the universities and the National Selection Panel. It consists of four stages: 

• Stage 1: Eligibility and quality checks
• Stage 2: University shortlisting
• Stage 3: National Selection Panel (interviews) – early December 2025. 34 Future Leader Finalists will be interviewed in-person in Sydney.
• Notification: Mid-December 2025

How to apply

All applications must be submitted through the Westpac Scholars Trust’s online application system. For more information, including how to apply, FAQs, funding guidelines, etc, please visit the Westpac Future Leaders webpage.

Partner Universities
The Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship program is offered at the following universities:

• Australian National University
• Monash University
• Adelaide University
• The University of Melbourne
• The University of Queensland
• The University of Sydney
• University of New South Wales
• The University of Western Australia
• University of Tasmania 

You may only apply for one university program.

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For more information on the scholarship, please visit the Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship website or contact Westpac Scholarship Limited by emailing westpacscholars@westpac.com.au.

Westpac will be holding an online information session for potential applicants: Wednesday 6 August 2025, 1.00 - 2.00pm AEST

To register your interest, please follow the link here.