Acacia Program Scholarship – Darwin NT
The Public Education Foundation’s Acacia Program Scholarship provides financial assistance and mentoring/career advice to high potential students, in need, attending schools in specific schools in the Darwin and Top End regions of the Northern Territory (See basic eligibility section for complete list of eligible schools).
The Acacia Program scholarship was designed to assist students in need who may otherwise not have the opportunity to reach their full potential. The scholarships are available to eligible students currently enrolled in Year 10 in the listed schools, with one scholarship available in each region.
The scholarship has been established to enable alumni of Australian public schools to give back to their school region, and to public education more broadly, through scholarships, mentoring and advocacy. The scholarships aim to highlight to students the diversity of careers and possibilities available to them through the Australians who sponsor the award and have access to this network.
We hope to show students:
- Examples of people who have succeeded who come from where they come from, who they can relate to and see themselves in
- Examples of people who are involved in a wide variety of careers and who are doing what they are interested in doing, to show them a path into the career they want
Each scholarship consists of a bursary of $1,000 per year for two years (total $2,000) to support the students’ studies whilst enrolled in high school, plus mentoring/career information opportunities.
What the Scholarship Covers Funds may be used for:
- Laptop, iPad or similar device
- Subject or study related software, printer, stationery and textbooks
- Uniforms and equipment
- Excursions and camps
- Curricular and extra-curricular learning opportunities
- Furniture for study such as desk, chair, lamp etc.
- Home Wi-Fi for study
- Face-to-face or online tutoring
Important Notes:
- If a student leaves public school before the end of Year 12 or moves to a school outside of NT, the scholarship will lapse.
- If a student’s attendance rate falls below an acceptable level at any time during the duration of the scholarship, the scholarship may be withdrawn.
- Any unspent monies at the end of the scholarship period must be refunded to the Public Education Foundation scholarship fund.
Before applying, please read the full scholarship terms and conditions on our website.
Eligibility Criteria
- High potential student
- Attends a public high school in the Darwin and Top End regions:
- Casuarina Senior College
- Darwin High School
- Palmerston College
- Taminmin College
- Currently in Year 10 (in 2025)
- Australian citizen or permanent resident
Selection Criteria
- Experiencing equity, social or physical hardship(s)
- Displays potential to do well at school
- Positive attitude to school and high attendance
- Intention to complete secondary education and continue to University or TAFE
- Participates in school life
- Contributes to community and/or extracurricular activities
Selection Process A selection panel will assess all applications against the criteria. It will include representatives from the Public Education Foundation and independent experts. Recommended applicants will be approved by the Foundation’s Board. Successful applicants and their school principals will be notified by December 2025.
How to Apply
- Apply via the Foundation’s online portal: https://pef-apply.smapply.io
- You must create a PEF-Apply account.
All sections of the application must be completed, including the Principal’s Supporting Statement.
Information Required
- Applicant details: name, gender, DOB, phone, address, email
- Residency status and supporting documents
- Parent/guardian details: names, contacts, relationship
- School details: name, address, principal contact
- School point of contact
- Background info:
- Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or Pacific Islander status
- Mob/family/language group
- Languages spoken at home
- Country of origin (student and parents)
- Household composition and employment
- Primary caregiver info
- Family education level
- Disability or learning difficulty
- Out-of-home care status
- Socio-economic background
- How you heard about the scholarship
Written Components
- Statement on suitability and selection criteria (max. 400 words)
- Plans after secondary education (max. 150 words)
- Financial need/disadvantage explanation (max. 150 words)
- Statement on use of funds (max. 150 words)
- Most recent school report (PDF)
- Personal reference (PDF or Word, max. 400 words)
- Principal’s Supporting Statement (submitted online)
Note for Principals: Your statement is critical and must go beyond confirmation. Generic responses will disadvantage the applicant.
Submitting Your Application Applications close at 5:00pm on Friday, 19 September 2025.
Need Help?
Call the Public Education Foundation on
Phone: 02 7814 2806
Email: email scholarships@publiceducationfoundation.org.au
Acacia Program Scholarship - Darwin NT
Acacia Program Scholarship – Darwin NT
The Public Education Foundation’s Acacia Program Scholarship provides financial assistance and mentoring/career advice to high potential students, in need, attending schools in specific schools in the Darwin and Top End regions of the Northern Territory (See basic eligibility section for complete list of eligible schools).
The Acacia Program scholarship was designed to assist students in need who may otherwise not have the opportunity to reach their full potential. The scholarships are available to eligible students currently enrolled in Year 10 in the listed schools, with one scholarship available in each region.
The scholarship has been established to enable alumni of Australian public schools to give back to their school region, and to public education more broadly, through scholarships, mentoring and advocacy. The scholarships aim to highlight to students the diversity of careers and possibilities available to them through the Australians who sponsor the award and have access to this network.
We hope to show students:
- Examples of people who have succeeded who come from where they come from, who they can relate to and see themselves in
- Examples of people who are involved in a wide variety of careers and who are doing what they are interested in doing, to show them a path into the career they want
Each scholarship consists of a bursary of $1,000 per year for two years (total $2,000) to support the students’ studies whilst enrolled in high school, plus mentoring/career information opportunities.
What the Scholarship Covers Funds may be used for:
- Laptop, iPad or similar device
- Subject or study related software, printer, stationery and textbooks
- Uniforms and equipment
- Excursions and camps
- Curricular and extra-curricular learning opportunities
- Furniture for study such as desk, chair, lamp etc.
- Home Wi-Fi for study
- Face-to-face or online tutoring
Important Notes:
- If a student leaves public school before the end of Year 12 or moves to a school outside of NT, the scholarship will lapse.
- If a student’s attendance rate falls below an acceptable level at any time during the duration of the scholarship, the scholarship may be withdrawn.
- Any unspent monies at the end of the scholarship period must be refunded to the Public Education Foundation scholarship fund.
Before applying, please read the full scholarship terms and conditions on our website.
Eligibility Criteria
- High potential student
- Attends a public high school in the Darwin and Top End regions:
- Casuarina Senior College
- Darwin High School
- Palmerston College
- Taminmin College
- Currently in Year 10 (in 2025)
- Australian citizen or permanent resident
Selection Criteria
- Experiencing equity, social or physical hardship(s)
- Displays potential to do well at school
- Positive attitude to school and high attendance
- Intention to complete secondary education and continue to University or TAFE
- Participates in school life
- Contributes to community and/or extracurricular activities
Selection Process A selection panel will assess all applications against the criteria. It will include representatives from the Public Education Foundation and independent experts. Recommended applicants will be approved by the Foundation’s Board. Successful applicants and their school principals will be notified by December 2025.
How to Apply
- Apply via the Foundation’s online portal: https://pef-apply.smapply.io
- You must create a PEF-Apply account.
All sections of the application must be completed, including the Principal’s Supporting Statement.
Information Required
- Applicant details: name, gender, DOB, phone, address, email
- Residency status and supporting documents
- Parent/guardian details: names, contacts, relationship
- School details: name, address, principal contact
- School point of contact
- Background info:
- Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or Pacific Islander status
- Mob/family/language group
- Languages spoken at home
- Country of origin (student and parents)
- Household composition and employment
- Primary caregiver info
- Family education level
- Disability or learning difficulty
- Out-of-home care status
- Socio-economic background
- How you heard about the scholarship
Written Components
- Statement on suitability and selection criteria (max. 400 words)
- Plans after secondary education (max. 150 words)
- Financial need/disadvantage explanation (max. 150 words)
- Statement on use of funds (max. 150 words)
- Most recent school report (PDF)
- Personal reference (PDF or Word, max. 400 words)
- Principal’s Supporting Statement (submitted online)
Note for Principals: Your statement is critical and must go beyond confirmation. Generic responses will disadvantage the applicant.
Submitting Your Application Applications close at 5:00pm on Friday, 19 September 2025.
Need Help?
Call the Public Education Foundation on
Phone: 02 7814 2806
Email: email scholarships@publiceducationfoundation.org.au