Inclusive Education Scholarships Initiative

The Inclusive Education Scholarships Initiative (the initiative) offers fully funded postgraduate study opportunities for eligible teachers and regional staff.

The initiative helps participants build knowledge and skills to support inclusive education in Victorian government schools and across the wider education system.

Participants learn practical, evidence-informed ways to support students with diverse learning needs. They use their new knowledge and skills to improve inclusive teaching and learning.

Strong inclusive teaching helps all students. It supports their learning, engagement and wellbeing.

The initiative aligns with:

• Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0)
• Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO 2.0)
• Disability Inclusion.

To learn more about each course, visit Arc – Inclusive Education Scholarships on-demand sessions.

Eligibility and scholarship allocation priorities

You can apply for a scholarships if you are:

• A teacher with full VIT registration who works in a Victorian government school. Your role must directly support teaching, learning or inclusive education for students with diverse learning needs.
• A regional staff member. Your role must support inclusive education, learning intervention, teaching and learning, or workforce capability across the education system.

Eligibility is assessed on:

• the main purpose of the role
• your workforce classification
• whether the role has a clear teaching or instructional focus.

You must be able to apply your postgraduate learning to strengthen inclusive teaching, curriculum access and educational outcomes for students with diverse learning needs.

Roles that mainly focus on wellbeing, prevention, coordination, clinical support or service delivery are generally not eligible. This is because teaching and instructional practice is not a clear part of these roles.

Priority is given to:

• schools without scholarship recipients
• small, rural and remote schools
• specialist schools
• supported inclusion schools.

Additional scholarships may be allocated depending on:

• the number of existing recipients at the school
• school size and multiple campuses.

Vision and Deaf Education specialisations

Schools wanting to build workforce capability in Vision Education or Deaf Education can receive more than one scholarship.

Applicants must still meet the eligibility requirements. There is no limit to the number of scholarships available for these specialist qualifications.

Regional staff

If you are a regional staff member, contact your Inclusive Education Senior Practice Advisor (IESPA).

Your IESPA can provide the Regional Workforce Nomination documents and information about requirements.

If you are not sure who to contact, refer to the Inclusive Education Scholarships Initiative Guidelines.

2027 Application Rounds

Applications open: 9 am Monday 1 February 2027

Applications close: 11:59 pm Monday 15 March 2027

Study commences: Semester/Trimester 2 (July), 2027

Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) program

50 scholarships are available for the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties).

This course provides a pathway to the Master of Learning Intervention (Stream A) at the University of Melbourne. It specialises in learning difficulties.

A link to the Graduate Certificate program application will be available here once applications open.

Master of Inclusive Education program

75 scholarships are available across 7 courses.

A link to the Master of Inclusive Education program application will be available here once applications open.

Before applying

Before applying, you must read the following resources:

• Inclusive Education Scholarships Initiative Guidelines (DOCX, 645KB) – information on eligibility, study options, funding, obligations and responsibilities.
• Practicum Information and CRT Funding (DOCX, 545KB) – practicum and CRT funding information.
• Inclusive Education Scholarships Initiative Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (DOCX, 528KB) – answers to common questions.

Applications must be submitted through the Inclusive Education Scholarships Initiative application portal during the application period.

You should also:

• confirm that you and your school are eligible
• discuss your intention to apply with your principal, manager or relevant regional leader, and explain how your study supports your workplace priorities
• explain how your study supports your role, your workplace priorities and inclusive education
• read and understand the scholarship requirements and your responsibilities.

Scholarship benefits

If you are successful, you will receive:

• tuition fees paid directly by the department to the university
• up to 2 years to complete the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) course
• up to 4 years to complete your selected course within the Master of Inclusive Education program
• access to CRT funding support to assist eligible Victorian government schools with costs associated with practicum requirements.

You must complete a Return of Service period after completing your course.

For more information about employment requirements and Return of Service obligations, refer to the Inclusive Education Scholarships Initiative Guidelines.

Scholarship obligations

The Department of Education has invested in this initiative to strengthen inclusive education across the workforce.

Accepting a scholarship involves responsibilities and obligations, including:

• maintaining eligibility while studying and during the Return of Service period
• completing study requirements within the required timeframe
• completing the required Return of Service period after course completion
• complying with the Sponsorship Agreement.

The Inclusive Education Scholarships Unit monitors scholarship recipients throughout their study and Return of Service periods. This includes checking that recipients meet the scholarship requirements.

Find out more

Contact the Inclusive Education Scholarships Unit (IESU) for enquiries about eligibility, applications and study options.

• Email: inclusive.ed.scholarships@education.vic.gov.au
• Phone: 03 9084 8496
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm