The scholarship is open to eligible permanent, temporary and casual teachers and school leaders. Specific criteria is dependent on your employment status.

Approved teachers with a department recognised qualification in inclusive/special education may be eligible to apply to specialise in the area of deaf and hard of hearing or blind and low vision.

Yes, you are eligible to apply for an Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship if you have 'flagged status' for special education.

Yes, however you must still hold a current permanent approval to teach and be prepared to return to your substantive school-based position or accept an appointment to a school within the nominated school education areas at the completion of your studies.

If you have relinquished your school-based position, you must still hold a current permanent approval to teach and be prepared to accept an appointment to a school within the nominated school education areas at the completion of your studies.

Please note that you will be asked to nominate your school education areas in the Scholarship application form.

If you hold a casual approval to teach following separation you will need to re-apply for your permanent approval to teach.

You have up to two years to complete your masters or graduate diploma under the scholarship. The university that you decide to study through may have additional completion requirements.

Inclusive Practice in Education applicants need to enrol in either: a recognised masters in inclusive/special education, a masters with a specialisation in the area of deaf and hard of hearing or blind and low vision, or a graduate diploma in inclusive/special education.

A list of universities that offer recognised courses can be found below. Please note that for a course to be recognised it must include a practicum. The list below is not exhaustive and not all programs available at the university will be recognised by the department.

Please contact 1300 300 634 or email sponsoredtraining@det.nsw.edu.au if you would like to confirm that the degree or graduate diploma you are considering is a recognised inclusive/special education qualification or if you are unsure which program may be right for you.

Universities may offer programs which haven’t previously been assessed by the department.

In order to consider your preferred program of study, please provide a full course outline for consideration by the department.

The following universities offer a recognised masters in inclusive/special education:

• Australian Catholic University
• Charles Sturt University
• Deakin University
• Flinders University
• Griffith University
• La Trobe University
• Macquarie University
• University of Newcastle
• University of New South Wales
• University of New England
• University of Sydney
• University of Wollongong
• Western Sydney University

The following universities offer a recognised graduate diploma in inclusive/special education:

• Macquarie University
• University of Southern Queensland

The following universities offer a recognised masters with specialisation in the area of deaf and hard of hearing or blind and low vision:

• Macquarie University
• University of Newcastle
• Melbourne University

Applications must be submitted online using the Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship application form, which will become available once the program opens.

Please note that late applications will not be accepted.

You will need to provide the following along with your application:

• evidence of any non NSW Department of Education teaching experience listed on your application in the form of a statement of service from your employer stating the period of your employment, number of teaching days and any leave without pay
• a current principal’s supporting statement on the template provided
• a referee’s supporting statement on the template provided
• your supporting statement which will appear on page 3 and 4 of the Scholarship Application form.
• evidence of enrolment (once available) in a recognised postgraduate master’s degree or graduate diploma program. It is preferred that applicants enrol in a recognised masters or graduate diploma program and present this evidence with their application for the scholarship. It is suggested that applicants liaise with their university to confirm the final date for withdrawal without financial penalty, should their application for the scholarship be unsuccessful.

Applications must be submitted using the Scholarship Application form. During the application period, an 'Apply now' button will be available on the Inclusive Practice in Education webpage which will direct you to the Application form.

The Application form is a writable pdf document that includes certain fields that are editable without PDF-editor software. Any writable pdf that opens in modern pdf viewers (Acrobat, Preview, Chrome, Bluebeam) will be usable in the Forms tool.

If you have not signed a form using an electronic signature before, the department’s intranet has information regarding setting up an electronic signature. Please view the how-to guide for more information.

Please ensure that your Adobe is up to date. All latest software is available through the staff portal. For additional support please contact EDConnect on 1300 32 32 32.

Hand written, photocopied or scanned applications will not be accepted.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a supporting statement from your current principal along with one other supporting statement from a supervisor or colleague.

Your principal may request a delegate to complete your Principal’s Supporting Statement, however both your delegate and principal must co-sign the form.

If your principal has completed the Principal’s Supporting Statement, a delegate isn’t required to counter sign.

If you are unable to gain a principal’s endorsement you may provide a supporting statement from your most recent supervising stage leader or head teacher. The Employment Programs Team in the School Workforce Directorate may seek further information if your application progresses.

Applications are now closed. You can subscribe to the mailing list for updates about the program.

Applications are now closed and will no longer be accepted. You can subscribe to the mailing list for updates about the program.

Yes, if you are currently self-funding either your master’s degree or graduate diploma and are successful in your scholarship application you will be sponsored for your enrolled subjects commencing Semester/Session/Trimester 1, 2024. You will receive a pro-rata amount for your training allowance and this is determined on the number of subjects you have left to study.

The department will not provide retrospective payments for subjects previously self-funded.

If you are already the recipient of a scholarship or sponsorship for special education, you will not be eligible to apply for an Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship. Please ask the Employment Programs Team if you require clarification.

A selection panel will consider all applications shortly after the closing date. Scholarship applicants who are shortlisted will be invited to attend an online interview to identify their capabilities, key knowledge areas and personal attributes to determine their suitability. Invitations to attend an interview will be sent via email from a third party provider and not a department email address.

Scholarships are offered to successful applicants in late November 2023 for study commencing in Semester/Session/Trimester 1, 2024.

You are required to undertake a practicum in order to meet the requirements of your scholarship and be eligible to receive a permanent role as a specialist educator.

Practicums are not required to occur in specific settings. Practicums must be between 10-20 days to meet department requirements but specifics will be set by your university. The department encourages you to contact universities to find out exactly what is expected.

The department recommends that you seek to study through a university where you are not only gaining a qualification but where you are able to strengthen your knowledge through relevant practical experience. This is where practicum in a range of settings would be valuable including mainstream, support unit/class or school for specific purposes (SSP).

Yes. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified of the outcome via email once the selection process is complete. If you change your contact details after the closing date, please email your updated contact details to the Employment Programs team at sponsoredtraining@det.nsw.edu.au.

Yes, if you would like feedback on your application, contact the department's Employment Programs team at sponsoredtraining@det.nsw.edu.au.

The total maximum amount payable to recipients of the scholarship is $23,000 and will be paid via electronic funds transfer (EFT) directly into your nominated bank account.

Scholarship funds will be included alongside your regular pay and are subject to tax. You will be eligible to receive the full $23,000 if you are completing a minimum of eight subjects studied while on scholarship. If you do not complete a minimum of eight subjects, you will be paid a pro-rata amount, that being $2,500 per subject studied while on scholarship.

The department will not provide an allowance for subjects previously failed and reattempted, or subjects for which you receive advanced standing or academic credit.

The following payment scenario is an example based on the master’s degree or graduate diploma pathway being completed in one year with 4 subjects being studied each semester.

1. Up to $10,000 paid once the Employment Programs team receives confirmation of your enrolment in an approved master’s degree or graduate diploma. This is based on evidence of enrolment in at least four subjects of a master’s degree or graduate diploma.
2. Up to $10,000 paid once the Employment Programs team receives confirmation of your successful mid-way completion of an approved master’s degree or graduate diploma and evidence of enrolment into at least four more subjects of a master’s degree or graduate diploma for the following semester.
3. $3,000 paid once the Employment Programs team receives confirmation that you have successfully completed your approved master’s degree or graduate diploma.

Alternatively, if you will be completing eight units over two years, your training allowance payments will be paid on receipt of evidence of enrolment each semester and paid at a rate of $2,500 per subject.

The maximum two $10,000 annual training allowances and $3,000 completion allowance payable to scholars will be paid in the regular pay cycle and taxed accordingly.

Any money paid to you by the department must be declared as assessable income on annual income tax returns. You will have tax withheld from your annual training allowance and completion allowance. HECS-HELP repayments may also be withheld. If you have any taxation questions it is recommended that you seek independent financial and/or taxation advice.

No, you will receive up to $23,000 throughout your training, paid in instalments, dependant on your study pattern and on receipt of your semester enrolment advice. Funds will be paid to you alongside your regular pay and will be taxed.

Your scholarship training allowance payment for enrolled subjects may be made after the university census date and therefore you will need to follow your university’s directions as to when course fees are payable.

Please note, you will need to cover any additional out-of-pocket expenses, and some courses may cost more than the maximum $23,000 provided by the scholarship.

The total amount paid by the department for this scholarship program is capped at $23,000.

The department will not pay for any subject for which you receive advanced standing for or academic credit granted.

To determine if you are eligible for the Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship please read the Eligibility Criteria.

Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria for the Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship program for the generalist special education teaching codes, you can apply.

Yes, you will have the option to remain at your school while you undertake your qualification and once your studies have been completed.

Successful applicants are required to sign a Scholarship Agreement with the department, committing them to:

1. complete a masters in inclusive/special education, a masters with specialisation in the area of deaf and hard of hearing or blind and low vision, or a graduate diploma in inclusive/special education within two years
2. remain in our employment for at least three years as a permanent full-time teacher following the completion of your studies.

Yes, you’ll be entitled to 8 days per year (12 months) of study leave however, the taking of study leave days must be discussed with and approved by your school principal. If you are a part-time teacher, study leave is provided on a pro-rata basis dependent on the number of days worked per week.

To determine if you are eligible for the Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship please read the Eligibility Criteria.

If you are a temporary teacher you will attain study leave on a pro-rata basis dependent on the number of days per week you work and the length of your temporary appointment. The taking of study leave days must be discussed with and approved by your school principal.

Study leave is not available for casual staff.

Upon successful completion of your master’s or graduate diploma program you will be appointed to a full-time permanent inclusive/special education teaching position in a NSW public school in one of the nominated locations in line with your Scholarship Agreement.

You may be notified of your appointment in the term preceding the anticipated completion of your inclusive/special education qualification, or earlier depending on available vacancies at the time.

Your appointment may be in either a primary or secondary school setting.

The location of your permanent appointment is non-negotiable.

For temporary and casual teachers, as part of the application process, you will be asked to select either 'Anywhere in the State' or individual school education areas where you would like to be appointed on completion of your studies.

If you select to be appointed 'Anywhere in the State', you are agreeing to be appointed to a school in one of the following school education areas: Albury, Armidale, Bankstown, Batemans Bay, Bathurst, Blacktown, Bondi, Bourke, Broken Hill, Campbelltown, Central Coast, Clarence/Coffs Harbour, Deniliquin, Dubbo, Fairfield, Granville, Griffith, Hornsby, Lake Macquarie, Lismore, Liverpool, Maitland, Moree, Mount Druitt, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Northern Beaches, Orange, Parramatta, Penrith, Port Jackson, Port Macquarie, Queanbeyan, Ryde, Shellharbour, St George, Sutherland, Tamworth, Taree, Tweed Heads/Ballina, Wagga Wagga, Windsor and Wollongong.

Alternatively, you may also choose to select:

• one school education area from the following list of priority areas of workforce need: Bathurst, Bourke, Broken Hill, Dubbo, Griffith, Moree, Orange and Queanbeyan; or
• a minimum of two school education areas, from the following areas of workforce need: Albury, Armidale, Bankstown, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Central Coast, Clarence/Coffs Harbour, Deniliquin, Fairfield, Granville, Liverpool, Lismore, Maitland, Mount Druitt, Muswellbrook, Penrith, Tamworth, Taree, Wagga Wagga and Windsor.
• in addition to the above selections, you may also nominate any of the following school education areas: Batemans Bay, Bondi, Hornsby, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Port Jackson, Port Macquarie, Ryde, Shellharbour, St George, Sutherland, Tweed Heads/Ballina and Wollongong. Please note that appointments to priority areas of workforce need are preferenced.

To view the schools located in each geographic area of workforce need please view the Staffing Areas spreadsheet (354 KB).

NSW public schools are grouped into geographic locations called 'Principal Networks'. Each principal network has a number of 'areas' for the purpose of staffing schools. Applicants are encouraged to download and view the organisation of public schools by staffing area resource.

As a sponsorship holder, you are considered an employment applicant and therefore when selecting Staffing Areas as part of your sponsorship application, schools to which you are considered for appointment will align with the 'areas' for the purposes of staffing schools.