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; and
• 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.

The scholarship is to cover educational expenses such as:

• 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

If a student leaves public school before the end of Year 12 or moves to a school outside of NT, the scholarship will lapse. Low attendance may result in withdrawal. Any unspent monies must be refunded to the Public Education Foundation.

Basic Eligibility:

• 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 and high attendance rate
• Intention to complete secondary education and pursue University or TAFE
• Active participation in school life
• Community and/or extracurricular involvement

Selection Process 

• A selection panel will review all scholarship applications and assess them against the selection criteria.
• The selection panel will include representatives of the Public Education Foundation and independent experts.
• The panel will recommend the selected applicants for Board approval.
• Notifications will be sent via email by December 2025.

How to Apply

• Apply via the Foundation’s online portal (PEF-Apply).
• Sign up for a PEF-Apply account.

All application sections must be completed, including the Principal’s Supporting Statement.

Prepare the following information:

Applicant Details:

• Full name
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Phone number
• Address
• Email (accessible account)
• Residence status (Visa/Citizenship proof)
• Arrival date in Australia and prior education years (if applicable)

Parent/Guardian Details:

• Name
• Phone
• Relationship
• Email address

School Details:

• Name of school
• Address
• Principal’s name
• Principal’s email
• School point of contact (name, phone, email)

Background Information:

• Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or Pacific Islander status
• Mob/family/traditional owner/language group
• Country of origin (student/parents)
• Languages spoken at home
• Adults living at home and how many are working
• Primary caregiver
• Other school-aged (or younger) children in the household
• Immediate family education levels
• Disability or learning difficulty status
• Out-of-home care status
• Socio-economic background
• How you heard about the scholarship

Required Documents:

• Statement: Why you are a suitable candidate (max 400 words)
• Outline: Future plans (max 150 words)
• Explanation: Financial need/disadvantage (max 150 words)
• Use of funds (max 150 words)
• Most recent school report (PDF/Word)
• Personal reference (PDF/Word, max 400 words)
• Principal’s Supporting Statement (submitted via the portal)

Principal statements must be specific. Generic or copied responses may disadvantage applicants.

Submitting Your Application:

Once you have finalised your application and all elements are complete (including references and supporting statements as required) you can submit it for review.

Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm on Friday, 19 September 2025.

For Further Information:

Call the Public Education Foundation on
Phone: 02 7814 2806
Email:  scholarships@publiceducationfoundation.org.au.