On this page (8 sections)
The short answer
Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships pay $10,000 a year while you study teaching, up to $40,000 (undergraduate) or $20,000 (postgraduate), plus $2,000 for a remote final placement. In return you teach in a government school or government early learning service for as long as your degree took, within 10 years of graduating.
- The current round is for students starting an ITE degree in the first study period of 2027.
- You must study full-time for the whole degree.
- Open to citizens, permanent residents, permanent humanitarian visa holders and NZ citizens living in Australia.
- You can also receive the Commonwealth Prac Payment and some state scholarships.
How much the scholarship pays
Amounts are from the Department of Education's Round 3 grant opportunity guidelines (November 2025). Check the guidelines for the round you apply in.
Who can apply for 2027
Eligibility for the 2027 intake
- You live in Australia and are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, holder of a permanent humanitarian visa, or a New Zealand citizen.
- You intend to start an accredited initial teacher education degree in the first semester or first study period of 2027.
- You'll study full-time for the whole degree.
- You accept the service obligation: teaching in a government school or government-run early learning setting after you graduate.
The scholarship is for new teaching students. If you're already partway through a degree, you generally can't apply for the current round. Undergraduate and postgraduate students are both eligible, which makes it relevant to career changers starting a Master of Teaching. The guidelines also set out how applications are ranked, including priority groups. Read the version for your round before you write your application, because the assessment focus changes between rounds.
The service obligation, explained
This is the part to think hardest about. After you graduate, you must teach in a government school or government early learning setting for a period that matches the length of your degree. You have 10 years from your expected graduation date to complete it. A 4-year Bachelor of Education means 4 years of government teaching. A 2-year Master of Teaching means 2 years.
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Education (Secondary), 4 years
- Scholarship, years 1 to 4
- 4 x $10,000 = $40,000
- Final placement in a very remote school
- + $2,000
- Service obligation
- 4 years in government schools or government early learning
- Window to complete the service
- Within 10 years of expected graduation
Postgraduate: Master of Teaching (Primary), 2 years
- Scholarship, years 1 to 2
- 2 x $10,000 = $20,000
- Prac Payment on 12 weeks of placement (if eligible)
- 12 x $338.60 = $4,063.20
- Service obligation
- 2 years in government schools or early learning
The Prac Payment is means-tested and paid through your university. See the Prac Payment guide.
＋ Pros
- Large, reliable amount: $10,000 a year is roughly equal to two years' HECS-HELP charges for an education degree.
- Every state and territory runs a large government school system, so finding a job that counts is realistic.
- Ten years gives room for parental leave, travel or part-time work.
- It stacks with the Prac Payment, and state scholarships where their rules allow.
− Cons
- You can't meet the obligation in Catholic or independent schools.
- Full-time study is required for the whole degree.
- If you don't complete the service, you may be asked to repay some or all of the money. Read the conditions in the grant agreement.
- Competitive: not everyone who applies is offered a scholarship.
How to apply
Applying for a Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship
- 1
Apply for your teaching degree
You'll need an offer, or an application in progress, for an accredited ITE program starting in the first study period of 2027. Check AITSL's accredited programs list.
- 2
Read the grant guidelines for the round
The Department of Education publishes guidelines and FAQs at education.gov.au/teaching-scholarships. They set out eligibility, ranking, payment timing and repayment rules.
- 3
Prepare your application
Expect questions on why you want to teach and your background. Write specifically: which age group, which subjects and where you'd be willing to teach.
- 4
Submit before the round closes
Rounds have fixed closing dates. Late applications are not usually accepted.
- 5
Sign the agreement
If you're offered a scholarship, you'll sign an agreement covering the service obligation. Read the repayment clauses before you sign.
Questions go to TeachingScholarships@education.gov.au. Universities often publish their own summaries, but the department's guidelines are the version that binds you.
Mistakes that sink applications
Avoid these
- Applying for the wrong intake. Each round is for a specific start date, such as the first study period of 2027.
- Planning part-time study. The scholarship requires full-time study for the whole degree.
- Assuming a Catholic or independent school job will count. Only government schools and government early learning meet the obligation.
- Not reading the repayment clauses before signing the agreement.
- Generic answers. Say which age group and subjects you'll teach and where you're willing to work.
- Missing the closing date while you wait for a university offer. Check whether you can apply with an application in progress.
If you're not offered a scholarship, you can still get the Prac Payment on placement, and state programs may still be open. In NSW, state scholarships come with a permanent public school job at the end, which some people value more than the cash.
State scholarships you can look at too
NSW and VIC amounts are from official program pages. The QLD figure comes from university pages and should be checked with Teach Queensland.
Free calculator
Teacher HECS-HELP calculator
Compare your degree debt against what a scholarship covers, and see repayments on a graduate salary.
Open the calculatorIs it worth it?
For most people who already plan to teach in a public school, yes. Government graduate pay is strong ($92,882 in NSW from 9 October 2026, $96,180 in the NT), and the 10-year window is generous. It's less attractive if you're set on teaching in a Catholic or independent school, or if you may need to study part-time. Compare state rates on the pay hub before you decide where to serve.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship?
Who is eligible for the Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship?
What is the service obligation?
Can I teach in a Catholic school to meet the obligation?
Can career changers get the scholarship?
Can I get the scholarship if I've already started my degree?
Is there a $12,500 remote teaching bonus?
Sources we checked · last verified 2026-10-16
About this page
Written and fact-checked by the TeacherPay AU editorial team against the enterprise agreements, awards and official pages listed in the sources. It is general information, not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it, usually within a day. See our editorial policy and how we calculate.
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