Celebrating the 2026 TAFE Queensland Scholarship cohort

The 2026 TAFE Queensland Scholarship cohort showcases the diversity, talent and determination of students from across Queensland, with recipients undertaking a wide range of study pathways that reflect both emerging and essential workforce needs.

This year’s cohort includes students pursuing qualifications in ICT, Animal Care Services, Youth Work, Mental Health, Hairdressing, and a variety of trade disciplines such as plumbing and carpentry. Together, these fields highlight the breadth of opportunities available through TAFE Queensland and the role vocational education plays in supporting communities and industries statewide.

At TAFE Queensland, we are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment, with a strong focus on ensuring access and opportunity for all learners.

This commitment is clearly reflected in the 2026 cohort, with almost 32 per cent of scholarship recipients identifying as First Nations peoples — the highest proportion in the program’s history. This milestone underscores the ongoing work to support First Nations participation and success in education and training.

The cohort also demonstrates strong diversity across gender and study modes:

• 57 per cent of recipients are female
• 16 per cent are undertaking an apprenticeship.

In terms of scholarship categories, the 2026 intake reflects a balanced approach to recognising both merit and need:

• 71 per cent of recipients are supported through Access and Equity Scholarships, assisting students experiencing social disadvantage or financial hardship
• 22 per cent are Merit Scholarship recipients, recognised for strong achievement and career potential
• 7 per cent are recipients of the Merit Athlete Scholarship, a relatively new category supporting students pursuing elite or high‑performance sporting pathways alongside their studies.

Each scholarship recipient is awarded $5,000, which can be used to support study in any course and qualification level, from Certificate III through to bachelor’s degrees, across TAFE Queensland’s 50 campus locations or via online study. This flexibility ensures students can tailor their learning journey to suit their goals and circumstances.

These scholarships are made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors and donors, including the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Samford Community Bank Bendigo Bank, Exemplar Health, Fujitsu, NOUS, ORRO, RACQ, TechnologyOne and the Industry School. Their contributions play a vital role in opening doors and creating life‑changing opportunities for students across Queensland.

In addition, TAFE Queensland‑led funding initiatives and events continue to strengthen the scholarship program each year. Activities such as the Workplace Giving Program, Containers for Change program, and the ICT vs Queensland Government trivia event, which is generously supported by the Brisbane ICT industry. All directly contribute to building scholarship funds and expanding support for future students.

As the 2026 academic year gets underway, we extend our best wishes to all scholarship recipients as they begin or continue their study journeys with TAFE Queensland. We look forward to seeing the impact they will make in their communities, industries and chosen professions.