Regional disability worker scholarships

About the program

The Victorian Government is helping more disability workers to deliver services in regional and rural Victoria. It is doing this by providing financial support to complete a course in disability.

The Regional Disability Worker Scholarships support regional and rural Victorians with the financial cost of their studies. These costs include the unpaid placement part of their disability course. This will allow students to:

• gain the experience they need to work in the disability sector
• complete their studies
• start fulfilling careers in regional and rural disability services.

Eligible students can apply for scholarships of $3,500.

• Round 1 applications opened on Monday 25 November 2024 and closed on Friday 20 December 2024.
• Round 2 applications will open on 21 July 2025 and will close on 15 September 2025.

Who is eligible to apply

This program is available for domestic students living in regional and rural Victoria.

Scholarships of $3,500 will be available to those studying with an approved Victorian training provider. The applicants must be a student or recent graduate of:

• Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) (CHC33021), or
• Certificate IV in Disability Support (CHC43121).

You may be eligible if you’re doing a dual Ageing and Disability specialisation of the Certificate III in Individual Support.

A limited number of scholarships will be available. Priority will be given to the following applicants:

• students from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities
• students with disabilities
• students in regional areas with high workforce needs
• students studying the Certificate IV in Disability Support (CHC43121)

Please read the application guidelines for more information on the eligibility criteria. The updated round 2 program guidelines will be on this page soon.

The program uses student data to assess students’ eligibility. Please make sure your personal and enrolment information is up to date with your training provider before you apply.

Eligibility considerations

You will not be eligible for a scholarship if you are:

• undertaking a traineeship (as the program’s aim is to support students doing unpaid placement hours).
• a student who is living interstate. This includes people who are completing a course through distance education.
• a student who is enrolled with an interstate training provider. This includes people who are living in Victoria.
• currently deferred or taking a leave of absence.

Students who have previously applied but were unsuccessful may apply in future rounds if they meet eligibility criteria at that time.

How to apply

You will find an application link on this webpage once applications open on Monday 21 July 2025.

Key dates

• Round 2 applications open – 21 July 2025
• Round 2 applications close - 15 September 2025
• Notification of round 2 application outcomes - December 2025
• Round 2 payments – December 2025.

Round 3 is expected to open in 2026. More details will be updated on this page as they are confirmed.

Payment information

We will tell you about the outcome of your round 2 application in December 2025.

Payments of $3,500 will be made to successful round 2 scholarship recipients in December 2025.

Changes to placements or withdrawal from study

Please note you may not be able to claim the scholarship payment if you:

• do not undertake your unpaid placement
• withdraw from your program of study or
• take a leave of absence

Supporting documents

Note: these round 1 documents are available for information and will be updated for round 2 soon.

• Regional Disability Worker Scholarships - Program guidelines Round 1 (Word)
• Regional Disability Worker Scholarships - Round 1 - Frequently asked questions (Word)

Disability worker registration and code of conduct

We encourage all disability workers to register for the free disability worker registration scheme. 

Registration provides extra checks to the NDIS Worker Screening about a worker’s:

• skills
• experience, and
• commitment to undertaking continuing professional development. 

All disability workers in Victoria must also follow the Disability Service Safeguards Code of Conduct. For more information, please visit the VDWC Disability Worker Code of Conduct page. 

More information

To receive updates on the next scholarship round, please register your name and email address by completing the scholarships form. 

For student queries please contact RDWS@grants.vic.gov.au.

For training provider or sector enquiries, please contact rdws@dffh.vic.gov.au.

Disability support work courses are available as part of the Victorian Government's Free TAFE program. To find out more visit Free TAFE webpage.