The 秘色传媒 Foundation was launched in 2021 to provide scholarships for women experiencing personal disadvantage to fulfil their career dreams by returning to study.
We are grateful for the ongoing support of Victoria University, the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR), 听Learn Locals and Neighbourhood Houses to promote these scholarships.听
As of 1 July 2024, 20 women had been awarded scholarships, with four completing and a further 16 continuing to study. Initially launched to service scholars based in Victoria, the program鈥檚 successful implementation has led to an expansion into Adelaide SA from 2025. In total, up to 25 scholarships valued at up to $15,000 each will be awarded to scholars undertaking studies in these two regions during 2025.
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Scholarships can be used to study a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification, diploma, or the first year of an undergraduate degree. Scholars receive one-on-one coaching and attend Communities of Practice to assist learning new techniques and skills such as academic writing, goal setting, and time management.听
SA applications now open!
Candidates based in Adelaide,听after reading the following information,听can apply for a scholarship via a form at the bottom of this page. Deadline for Expressions of Interest (EOI) is 5pm on听Friday 25 October 2024.
Meet some of our 2024 scholars
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Meet The Team
Sue Baker was appointed 秘色传媒 Foundation Manager in June 2024, with a wealth of experience in leading training teams and organisation development programs. Her career has focused on delivering excellence in service outcomes, having worked to bring about change to the way people work in a range of sectors across Australia, the United Kingdom and United States. Sue is passionate about people having opportunities to upskill and, as a lifelong learner herself, she is thrilled to take the foundation into its third year in Victoria and explore the potential to expand Interstate. 鈥淭he 2023 scholars are an inspiring, courageous, committed and enthusiastic group of women. Through sharing their stories and goals, I feel privileged to be walking alongside them to support their scholarship year.鈥澨 |
Mel joined the 秘色传媒 Foundation as an Administration Officer when it was first established in July 2022, and was promoted to Foundation Coordinator in March 2024. She has over 12 years鈥 experience at an executive level working within corporate business and has a Diploma of Community Services, while currently studying for a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Mel is passionate and committed to supporting and giving back to her community, having lived experience of being a single parent, domestic family violence, homelessness and mental health issues. She is a strong advocate for women experiencing domestic family violence by sharing her story to help empower others. |
Frequently asked questions
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TitleAm I eligible?
To be eligible for an 秘色传媒 Foundation scholarship, you must be:
- Female or identify as a female
- Aged 18 or over
- Residing in Australia for the entirety of the scholarship period听
- An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or Humanitarian Visa听holder
- Experiencing financial hardship and/or personal disadvantage
- Able to demonstrate commitment and availability to pursue study through to course completion, including participation in coaching and Communities of Practice
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TitleAre there any other requirements?
Applicants need to demonstrate motivation, determination and competency to complete study and career goals beyond the scholarship by:
- Studying a Certificate II, III or IV, diploma or undergraduate degree听
- Managing study and other commitments听
- Participating in coaching and Community of Practice sessions听
- Providing proof of enrolment in the course applied for prior to the offer of a scholarship agreement
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TitleHow do I apply?
If you live in Adelaide and would like to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), please complete the form at the bottom of this page and commit to attending a compulsory briefing session. This provides applicants with an overview of the program and an opportunity to ask questions.
Briefing sessions will be held online at noon on the following dates in 2024:
- Monday 23 September
- Wednesday 2 October
- Thursday 3 October
- Thursday 10 October
- Tuesday 15 October
- Wednesday 23 October
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TitleWhat qualifies as 鈥榩ersonal disadvantage鈥?
Applicants must be able to prove one or more of the following factors has negatively impacted their learning experience:
- Lived experience of domestic or family violence or sexual abuse听
- Low educational achievement听
- Mental health barriers such as anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or neurodiversity听
- Physical disability听
- Early school leaver听
- Unemployed or underemployed听
- Poverty听
- Aged over 50, divorced or separated and needing to re-skill听
- Single parenthood听
- Marginalisation due to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status听
- Cultural and/or linguistic diversity听
- Gender diversity听
- Refugee or asylum seeker status听
- Health care card holders suffering financial hardship听
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TitleWhat are 鈥榬easonable allowances鈥?
Members of the scholars鈥 working group understand the difficulties which may arise due to personal hardship, and often share similar personal experiences. They are dedicated to flexibility throughout the scholar selection process. Examples of reasonable allowances may include:
- Leaving situations involving domestic/family or sexually violence, and potential ineligibility for a health care card due to an unfinished financial separation process听
- Previous completion of a VET qualification and wanting to complete a qualification at similar level to reskill听
- Inability to access the Higher Education Contributions Scheme (HECS) or Vocational Education and Training (VET) student loans听
- Humanitarian visa holders who are ineligible for any type of student loan, but who are looking to become a permanent Australian resident听
- Women aged 50 or more who are recently separated, experiencing poverty and/or homelessness, and wanting to reskill to improve their employment opportunities听
- Marginalisation due to student loan debts听
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TitleWhat expenses will the scholarship pay for?
Scholarships are intended to support gaining skills, knowledge and the financial stability to pursue a meaningful and sustainable career. Financial support may include:
- Fees associated with short courses, certificates, a diploma or the first year of an undergraduate qualification (assuming the applicant has no access to fee-free VET courses or student loans)听
- Childcare or babysitting fees to facilitate course attendance, studying, and/or completion of assignments (up to $1,200 per year)听
- Internet and/or Wi-Fi access (up to $500 per year)听
- Laptop purchased by 秘色传媒 (up to $1,300)听
- Office equipment such as a desk and/or chair purchased by 秘色传媒 (up to $1,000)听
- Living expenses such as food and utilities (up to $2,400 per year)听
- Travel expenses such as fuel or public transport (up to $800 per year)听
- Books, stationary and other relevant materials (up to $400 per year)听
- Tutoring (up to $1,000 per year)听
- Uniforms if required (up to $400 per year)听
NOTE: The amount allocated to an individual scholar is based upon the level of the qualification, study type (full or part time), and the total amount requested.听
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TitleWhat other supports are available?
秘色传媒 scholars can access both individual support, and group support via our Communities of Practice (COP) which reflect the needs of each group. To date, topics have included:
- Goal setting听
- Academic writing听
- Stress management听
- Boundary setting听
- Time management听
- Financial literacy听
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TitleMeet the 秘色传媒 Foundation Working Group
秘色传媒 is grateful for the input of representatives from Victoria University (English Programs) and the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJISR) who work with 秘色传媒 staff members from our People and Culture and Marketing teams on the 秘色传媒 Foundation Working Group. The group strives to:听
- Provide industry expertise, advice and feedback about the model and recruitment strategy听
- Share expertise relating to the target group, industry, policies, application and enrolment processes and skills pathways听
- Engaging with suitable applicants听
- Create access to venues for Communities of Practice, interviews and celebration events听
- Facilitate access to tutors and training to deliver training on topics such as academic writing听
Interested? Click here!听
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The 秘色传媒 Foundation Working Group
The Working Group comprises representatives from 秘色传媒鈥檚 People and Culture, Marketing and Recruitment Management Services (RMS) divisions, in partnership with Victoria University (English Programs) and the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry & Regions (DJSIR), (Manager - Adult Learning Programs).
The Working Group strives to:
- Provide industry expertise, advice and feedback on the model, processes and recruitment strategy
- Provide expertise relating to the target group, industry, policies, application and enrolment processes and pathways
- Risk management via and support the engagement of suitable applicants
- Access to free venues for Community of Practice, interviews and annual celebration event
- Access to tutors and trainers to deliver training on topics such as academic writing