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 and participate in a bespoke, nine-month, Leadership Development Program. 

Scholarship recipients will come from diverse backgrounds, united by their potential to make a meaningful contribution to Australia's future in one of our four focus areas:

• Sustainable Futures
• Asia-Pacific Leadership
• Connected and Stronger Society
• Innovation for Impact

Up to 17 scholarships, valued at up to $120,000 each over two to three years, will be awarded in 2027 to support postgraduate coursework or research. Scholars must commence study with one of our nine university partners.

Scholarship recipients will come from diverse backgrounds, united by their potential to make a meaningful contribution to Australia's future in one of our four focus areas:

• Sustainable Futures
• Asia-Pacific Leadership
• Connected and Stronger Society
• Innovation for Impact

Up to 17 scholarships, valued at up to $120,000 each over two to three years, will be awarded in 2027 to support postgraduate coursework or research. Scholars must commence study with one of our nine university partners.

To apply for a 2027 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship, select your University from the list below and start your application through the designated link:

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

Eligibility Criteria:

• You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• You must have completed your first undergraduate degree from 2021 onwards or will complete your degree by 31 December 2026
• You must have achieved, or are on track to achieve, an average result of H1 or H2A or equivalent – approx. 75 WAM.
• You have chosen to undertake a full-time Masters by Coursework or Research, or a PhD at a Participating University.
• For PhD and Masters by Research applicants only, a Letter of Support is required from your university from your supervisor, Dean of the Faculty or Head of School or equivalent.
• For PhD and Masters by Research applicants only, you’ll need to demonstrate how the university is well positioned to support your research project and their research excellence in the field (questions in application form address this).
• You must commence postgraduate study in 20267(by 31 July). Current students are not eligible to apply.
• For Masters by Coursework applicants only, you must not have already completed a graduate certificate or diploma in the same area of study where you will receive credit.
• You may have completed another Masters by Coursework program in a different area of study.
• Medical and Juris Doctor programs or equivalent are excluded from the Future Leaders Scholarship.
• Your proposed program of study must contribute to the future of Australia in one of the Trust’s priority funding areas. • Your proposed program of study must include 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, an internship or volunteering.
• You must have a worthy and viable post-study plan that benefits Australia.
• Masters by Coursework programs must be completed within 2 years, including the global experience.
• You must supply two letters of reference, one academic reference and one personal reference.
• Should your application progress to the final stage, you must attend the National Selection Panel in person in Sydney on 23 November or 24 November 2026 (domestic travel paid for by Westpac Scholars Trust)
• If successful, you must attend the Leadership Development Program Residential, 15- 19 February 2027 (TBC), and the Westpac Scholars' Summit (late April 2027), plus a final residential likely to be held in August or September 2027; and
• If successful, you are not permitted to hold additional scholarships, with the exception of the Research Training Program Scholarship (RTP) or equivalent or an equity-based scholarship.

• Email: westpacscholars@westpac.com.au