Applications for round 4 will open on 31 March 2025.
Round 4 is the final round of the Inclusion scholarships for social work placements program.
On this page
About the program
Inclusion scholarships for social work placements will help reduce the financial burden of placements for students. They will support more Bachelor and Master of Social Work students to finish their degrees and start their careers.
The program will support Victorians who face more barriers to completing their degree or who are underrepresented in the community services workforce.
Eligible students can apply for $7,500 to help them complete their placement.
Round 4 is the final round of the Inclusion scholarships for social work placements program.
In future, eligible students may wish to consider the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP), which is due to start in July 2025. The CPP offers social work, nursing and teaching students support while they’re undertaking mandatory placements. This program is run by the Commonwealth government. For more information and the latest updates on the CPP, please see the Australian Government Department of Education Commonwealth Prac Payment webpage.
You may be eligible for a scholarship if you:
- are a domestic student
- are completing your social work placement between 31 March and 31 December 2025 as part of your accredited Bachelor or Master of Social Work with a Victorian public university
- live in Victoria or a defined border community
- are undertaking your placement in Victoria or a defined border community
- meet one or more of the socio-economic and demographic criteria listed below.
The socio-economic criteria are:
- people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds
- people with experience of using social or community services as the main service user or primary carer of a family member who is the main user of social or community services.
Examples of accessing social and community services may include the following:
- carer support programs
- case management
- counselling
- crisis care response
- family preservation and reunification
- parenting services
- respite and support care.
The demographic criteria are:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
- refugees, or people from multicultural backgrounds
- people who identify as LGBTIQA+
- people with disability
- people with caring responsibilities, including
- single parents
- people caring for a person with disability, chronic health conditions, mental illness, or who is frail or aged
- people who live in regional or rural Victoria or defined border communities.
A limited number of scholarships are available. Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate that they meet multiple criteria from both the socio-economic and demographic areas.
The program guidelines (Word) and FAQ document (Word) are available to download.
If you are unsure about your eligibility, please email: placement.scholarships@grants.vic.gov.au
An application link will be available on this webpage when applications open on 31 March 2025.
Round 4 dates
For placements completed between 31 March 2025 and 31 December 2025.
Round 4 is the final round of the Inclusion scholarships for social work placements.
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Applications open | Monday 31 March 2025 |
| Applications close | 4pm, Monday 28 April 2025 |
| Notification of application outcomes | By July 2025 |
| Payments | First payment following the 2025 university census date and upon university confirmation. Second payment at a mid-placement milestone. Late applications will not be accepted. No deferrals will be accepted. |
Supporting documents
Contact us
If you have a query, please contact placement.scholarships@grants.vic.gov.au.