Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Scholarship

The Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Scholarship is a comprehensive funding program designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students working in or intending to work in the social and emotional wellbeing workforce. The scholarship is a partnership between the Department of Health, VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation), and RMIT University. It aims to build Victoria's Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing workforce by supporting Aboriginal people to complete clinical and therapeutic mental health qualifications. The program responds to the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System's recommendation for statewide expansion of Aboriginal SEWB teams and recognizes the importance of building an Aboriginal workforce for long-term success of social and emotional wellbeing services. The scholarship provides comprehensive support including full tuition fee coverage, Student Services and Amenities Fees, financial assistance of up to $10,000 per annum, and additional funding support of up to $5,000 per year for home office equipment, technology, unpaid placement income loss, study tours, peer networks, mentoring, tutoring, conferences, professional development, and accommodation. Students must be enrolled in specific psychology, social work, youth work, or mental health nursing programs at RMIT and either currently employed by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation or mainstream health organisation in a Victorian Aboriginal SEWB team, or intending to work in such a role in the future.