2026 - Minnie Bairstow Aboriginal Scholarship

The Minnie Bairstow Aboriginal Scholarship, founded in 1987, originally supported Aboriginal university students by providing student accommodation and small grants. In 2019, this shifted to offering course-long scholarships to better cover housing costs, providing stability throughout students' studies. The scholarship supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across all five Perth universities in diverse fields, with recipients chosen by an independent panel of Aboriginal tertiary education professionals and Trust representatives. The scholarship provides an annual value of up to $12,000 ($6,000 per semester), or up to 75% of the student's rent, based on full-time studies, paid directly to the student's landlord, college, or leasing agent for the remaining duration of their course. This scholarship is specifically designed to support students who are experiencing financial hardship and need assistance with accommodation costs while pursuing their first undergraduate degree or certain eligible postgraduate degrees in Perth, Western Australia.