Staff Scholarships

Staff scholarships reflect the University’s commitment to attract, retain, reward and recognise talented staff, and to build a leadership capability and expertise.

Further information on study leave and education allowance can be found in the Professional Development Policy.

Western currently offers two scholarship categories:

Vice-Chancellor's Professional Development Scholarships 

Open to all academic and professional staff who have a minimum of 12 months' continuous service and meet the relevant criteria, for a variety of professional development activities including conferences, seminars, workshops and short courses that are relevant to the applicant’s duties of employment.

A total of 32 Scholarships to the value of $3,000 each are available each year for staff to attend relevant conferences, short courses, seminars or workshops.

  • 12 x $3,000 scholarships are available for Academic staff. See the guidelines for eligibility criteria, application requirements and instructions, before completing the application form.
  • 12 x $3,000 scholarships are available for Professional staff. See the guidelines for eligibility criteria, application requirements and instructions, before completing the application form.
  • 6 x $3,000 scholarships are available for Academic Sessional and Adjunct staff. See the guidelines for eligibility criteria, application requirements and instructions, before completing the application form.
  • 2 x $3,000 scholarships are available for Indigenous staff. See the guidelines for eligibility criteria, application requirements and instructions, before completing the application form.

2024 Vice-Chancellor's Professional Development Scholarships Awardees

Staff Postgraduate Coursework Study Scholarships

Open to all academic and professional staff who have a minimum of 12 months' continuous service and meet the criteria, to provide support in undertaking postgraduate study via coursework at Western Sydney University.

  • 2 x scholarships. See the guidelines for eligibility criteria, application requirements and instructions, before completing the application form.

Scholarship recipients pay $1000 per unit, and the Scholarship takes care of the rest. An example of how the cost of a Western Sydney University Master of Business Administration can be reduced with a Staff Postgraduate Coursework Study Scholarship is shown below:

The course requires the completion of sixteen units and can be completed in two years full-time or four years part-time. This example assumes the course is studied part-time, over four years, at four subjects per year.

Master of Business Administration 
2023 Domestic Fees for 160 credit points (16 x $4,167 ea)$66,672
Fee reduction from Scholarship (units capped at $1,000 each)$-50,672
Western Sydney University Education Support Allowance (for four full academic years)$-12,000
Cost to Staff Member$4,000

In addition, the recipient may be able to:

  • Receive a FEE-HELP (Higher Education Loan Program) loan
  • Have greater access to library facilities as a staff member
  • Claim self-education expenses in your tax return

Applications for 2025 scholarships will open in the last quarter of the year