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Education, Training and Scholarships

Australian Catholic University

The RSL NSW Veteran and Partner Scholarship provides an avenue to support current and former Defence members and their partners in transition and success in higher education. Addressing barriers to study, the Veteran and Partner Scholarship gives participants a low-risk, low-stress pathway to study through an initial two week transitional program. On completion of this program, participants go on to complete their chosen degree. The scholarship reduces the financial barriers of education and encourages students to participate and develop academic skills.

Eligibility to apply for an RSL NSW Veteran and Partner Scholarship

Applicants for an RSL NSW Scholarship must be:

A current or former ADF member OR partner of a current or former ADF member
An Australian resident and reside in New South Wales
Be undertaking the first year of tertiary study at Australian Catholic University.

For more information about the Scholarship please visit:

Gallipoli Scholarship Fund

The Gallipoli Scholarship Fund honours the memory and legacy of Australian and New Zealand veterans and of the enduring traditions of perseverance, courage, self-sacrifice, and mateship established at Gallipoli.

The Scholarship provides financial assistance to the most deserving and meritorious applicants for tertiary study at a University or TAFE degree, diploma or advanced diploma level.

Eligibility to apply for an RSL NSW Scholarship

Applicants for an RSL NSW Scholarship must be:

A current or former ADF member OR family member of a current or former ADF member
Under 25 years of age
An Australian resident and reside in New South Wales
Be undertaking the first year of tertiary study at a university or TAFE
Be able to prove necessitous circumstances (such as financial, physical, familial, emotional, medical or environmental hardship)

For more information about the Scholarship please visit:

Australian Veterans' Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT)

The Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT) scholarships and bursaries provide financial assistance and a pathway to a life with greater possibilities. AVCAT scholarships and bursaries support students who study full-time at a university, TAFE, or a registered training organisation within Australia.

Eligibility to apply for an RSL NSW Scholarship

Applicants for an RSL NSW Scholarship must be:

A child OR grandchild
Under 22 years of age (mature aged applicants may be considered)
An Australia resident and reside in New South Wales
Be undertaking the first year of tertiary study at a university, TAFE or a registered training organisation
Be able to demonstrate financial hardship (on income and assets grounds)

For more information about AVCAT scholarships please visit: Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust

Veteran Support Fund

RSL NSW sub-Branches can donate to these continuing scholarships via the 2025 RSL NSW Veteran Support Fund.

To do so, please transfer funds via EFT to:

Account name: RSL NSW
BSB: 062-016
Account number: 000 00 741
EFT reference: sub-Branch Name – VSF (eg. Nabiac sub-Branch – VSF)

Please send remittance to accounts.receivable@rslnsw.org.au and indicate which initiative the donation is intended to support.

The ANZAC House Finance team will confirm receipt of the deposit.

Testimonials

Louise Edwards - 2018 Gallipoli Scholar

“In all honesty the Gallipoli scholarship helped me immensely over the course of this year, and that’s only regarding the finances. Living unemployed and away from home trying to work out life and University was made so much easier with the increased security and assistance that the money provided. It seriously was a great blessing to me. Aside from that I also got all these wonderful bonuses of meeting remarkable people and opportunities to attend awesome events plus so much support and encouragement. I’m honoured to be a part of this community”.

Dean McLachlan - AVCAT Scholarship Recipient

“The AVCAT scholarship support by RSL Australia has significantly eased the financial pressure of balancing work, study, and family commitments. It has allowed me to focus on my studies and progress toward my goal of becoming a teacher.”

Education and Training

There are many options for veterans in NSW looking to upskill or gain assistance into finding employment in the public and private sectors.

Every year around 1,200 service members leave Defence and join an estimated 200,000 veterans living across NSW. Of those, almost 56,000 veterans and 30,000 of their family members are current clients of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs[1].

Veterans are often accompanied on the pathway to participation by their partners and family members which is why these employment programs provide support for not only veterans but also their loved ones. The following programs can assist you with gaining new skills and qualifications, being recognised for the skills you gained in service, and securing meaningful employment.

Veterans Skills Program

In an initiative by the NSW Government, veterans and their partners will have access to fee-free training to broaden their career opportunities and help transition to civilian life after service.

Through the Veterans Skills Program eligible learners can enrol in any course offered under the Government’s Smart and Skilled program, ranging from a Certificate II to Advanced Diplomas, including all apprenticeships and selected traineeships. Veterans and their partners can choose from more than 800 fee-free courses offered by more than 450 Registered Training Organisations, including TAFE NSW.

To find out more, visit the Veterans Skills Program website.

NSW Veterans Employment Program

The NSW Veterans Employment Program provides support and resources for veterans who are interested in pursuing a career in the NSW public sector.

Reporting shows 2,399 veterans accepted positions in the NSW public sector between October 2018 and July 2024. The program is on track and aims to see 2,000 veterans employed in new roles by December 2026.

To find out more visit the NSW Veterans Employment Program website.

RSL Employment Program

RSL Queensland in collaboration with RSL LifeCare Veteran Services organises a holistic employment program designed for veterans. The RSL Employment Program can assist in finding the right role for you, giving you purpose and direction. If you’re a veteran or the partner of a current or former Defence member, RSL LifeCare Veteran Services can help you take the next step towards finding meaningful employment.

The RSL LifeCare Veteran Services team offers the following free services to veterans:

Career counselling & interview preparation
Connections to employers
Skill identification and assessment
Job application support

Veterans and their families can access the RSL Employment program by calling RSL LifeCare on (02) 8088 0388 or visiting the RSL Employment Program website.

TAFE NSW Ranks to Recognition Program

The TAFE NSW Ranks to Recognition program assists veterans transition into the civilian workforce. This program, a partnership between TAFE NSW and the NSW Office for Veterans affairs, supports the Veterans Education Scholarship Program.

TAFE NSW offer veterans personalised careers advice, counselling, skills assessment, recognition of prior learning and training gap analysis to help identify the skills and knowledge acquired during their service.

For more information or to register your interest, visit the Ranks to Recognition Program page on the TAFE NSW website.

Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Young Australians

Scholarships of up to $13,000 are available for young Australians who meet the following eligibility requirements.

Aged 15 to 24 years old, or exited the Australian Defence Force in the last two years;
Not in full-time work or school at the time of applying;
Living in one of the nominated regional areas;
Intending to enrol for an eligible VET qualification at the Certificate III to Advanced Diploma level which will lead to an occupation in demand.

Visit the program’s website for full details.

ACU Veteran Entry Program and Veterans Transition Program

If you are a current or former member of the Australian Defence Force, you may be eligible for Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) Veterans’ Entry Program. The program assesses your service in the military and converts it to an entry rank, similar to an ATAR, matching that rank to the requirements of the undergraduate or postgraduate course you wish to study and making you an offer based on the outcome.

Immediate family members of current and former Australian Defence Force personnel can access the program which recognises rank and service on applications for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. See this page on the ACU website for more information.

For more information, visit the dedicated page on the ACU website.

ACU’s Veterans Transition Program supports commencing student veterans as they transition from military service through a free two-week preparatory program. This program includes tailor-made orientation activities, workshops, lectures, tutorials and different types of assessments, to equip students with the abilities and key skills to succeed in higher education.

Find out more about ACU’s veteran programs.

[1] NSW Veterans Strategy 2021-2024: https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/assets/veterans-affairs/NSW-Veterans-Strategy-2021-24.pdf