In 2009 The Australian Government passed legislation amendments which impacted the Commonwealth Scholarships, Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY.

Under the proposed changes, university students who are eligible for Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY will be entitled to a Student Start-up Scholarship for each year of their course. The proposed changes would also mean dependent university students who have to relocate to study and are eligible for Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY will be entitled to also receive a Relocation Scholarship.

For more information on these proposed changes please go to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website

This legislation will result in continuing students with pre existing Commonwealth Scholarships (CECS, CAS, NAS and NPS) being administered through the student’s university. New applicants equivalent awards will be offered through Centrelink from 2010.

The University and Centrelink are not able to act on proposed changes until all relevant legislation has passed through Parliament and received Royal Accent.

Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships 2010 onwards.

Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarship Application Form

Indigenous student scholarships. These are available by application to the University for indigenous full-time undergraduate students, enrolled in Education, Nursing or Medicine who are full-time, undergraduate students not holding a bachelor degree or higher level award unless it forms part of the prerequisites of the current undergraduate course. These students must demonstrate need by being in receipt of Government assistance or demonstrating financial hardship.

Award: Assistance with costs associated with higher education. Scholarships are merit based, non-repayable and will target students from low socio-economic backgrounds. Students are able to apply for more than one type of scholarship, however will only receive one scholarship at a time.

Selection: Students will be assessed with other applicants as part of a competitive process and will be informed in writing whether they have been successful or not.

Privacy: All applications will be kept confidential in keeping with the University of Notre Dame’s privacy policy. Only individuals involved in selections or appeals will have access to the applications. The University of Notre Dame abides by the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 and the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000. Information provided to the University on the Application Forms will be used to assess the eligibility of students for the scholarships and for statistical and administrative purposes. Federal Government regulations require successful applicants be reported to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations ( DEEWR).

Conditions of the Scholarships: Scholarship recipients must continue to meet the eligibility requirements for the duration of the scholarship and will need to provide documentation to assess their ongoing eligibility twice a year as requested by the University. Scholarship recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress. A continuing student applying for a Commonwealth Scholarship must have achieved satisfactory academic performance to date, in accordance with University Regulations.

Payments will commence on or after a student’s first census date for a unit of study following initial enrolment. Payments will be made directly to students twice a year – after the census date and after confirmation of eligibility each semester. When a student is awarded the scholarship in the second semester, there will only be one payment of half the annual amount.
These scholarships are not considered income under the Social Securities Act and should not affect your payment (Centrelink / Personal Income Test / Youth Allowance / Austudy, Abstudy or the primary payment of students receiving a Pensioner Education Supplement).

If changes to circumstances mean that a scholarship recipient no longer meets the criteria, the scholarship will cease. Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Commonwealth Criminal Code. If your circumstances change, notify the University in writing and send by Registered Post:

Scholarships and Prizes Officer
Office of University Relations and Development
The University of Notre Dame Australia
PO Box 1225
Fremantle WA 6160
scholarships@nd.edu.au OR (08) 9433 0857

Guidelines for those already receiving a Commonwealth Scholarship

Continued eligibility for these awards is assessed at the start of each semester prior to forwarding the scholarship monies to the recipient.

A Statutory Declaration or Change of Circumstances form will be forwarded through your student e-mail prior to the beginning of each semester. These forms can be returned to the Student Administration address at the end of the email.

Scholarship money will cease if the student;

• Does not continue to meet the award criteria
• Has been paid the full scholarship amount (a maximum of eight periods)
• Does not recommence studies after a period of deferral
• Is guilty of serious misconduct
• Fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Students transferring from another higher education institution Commonwealth scholarship will not be able to transfer their Commonwealth scholarship.
• Applicants must be in receipt of a Commonwealth Supported place.

scholarships@nd.edu.au OR (08) 9433 0857