The Public Education Foundation’s Big Picture Learning Australia (BPLA) Scholarship supports students attending schools in the BPLA network across Australia – listed below. It provides financial assistance to students who may otherwise struggle to reach their potential, encouraging participation and achievement throughout their secondary school years.

The scholarship is open to students from Year 7 to Year 12 (in 2026). Students currently in Year 6 may apply for support commencing in Year 7, upon confirmed enrolment at a BPLA school.

This scholarship is generously supported by Big Picture Learning Australia.

Basic Eligibility

  • Enrolled or intending to enrol in a Big Picture Learning Australia (BPLA) school
  • Currently in Year 6 to 11 at a public school within the BPLA network
  • Experiencing equity, social or physical hardship
  • Participates in school life
  • Contributes to the community and/or extracurricular activities
  • Australian citizen or permanent resident

Financial Support

  • $1,000 per student per year
  • One year of support per scholarship awarded

Eligible Educational Expenses

Scholarship funds can be used for:

  • Laptops, tablets, or software
  • Textbooks, stationery and uniforms
  • School fees, excursions or camps
  • Technology and school equipment
  • Study furniture or home internet access
  • Tutoring and online learning support

Students in Years 10 to 12 will also gain access to:

  • PEF’s mentoring program
  • Studiosity’s 24/7 online tutorial services (limited hours per scholar)

Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrated financial or social hardship
  • Positive engagement in school activities
  • Active contribution to the community or extracurricular life
  • Potential to benefit significantly from the scholarship

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed by an independent selection panel organised by the Public Education Foundation. The donor may be invited to participate. Panel recommendations are approved by the PEF Board. All applicants are notified of outcomes by December 2025.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via PEF’s online application portal: PEF-Apply.

You will need:

  • Personal and school details
  • Statement addressing the selection criteria
  • Brief explanation of educational and career goals
  • Statement on how the funds will be used
  • School report
  • Principal’s supporting statement

Applications close 5:00pm, Friday 19 September 2025.

Contact

Email: scholarships@publiceducationfoundation.org.au

Phone: 02 7814 2806

Website: publiceducationfoundation.org.au

BPLA Network

BPLA collaborates with a diverse network of schools across Australia that implement its innovative, student-centred educational model. These schools span urban, regional, and remote areas, offering personalised learning experiences tailored to individual student interests and needs.

Here are some of the schools that are part of the BPLA network:

New South Wales

  • Cooks Hill Campus (Cooks Hill)
  • Liverpool Boys High School (Liverpool)
  • Melrose High School (Pearce)
  • Morisset High School (Morisset)
  • Kurri Kurri High School (Kurri Kurri)
  • Tamworth High School (Tamworth)
  • Kingscliff High School (Kingscliff)
  • Five Islands Secondary College (Port Kembla)
  • Tomaree High School (Salamander Bay)
  • James Fallon High School (Albury)
  • Guyra Central School (Guyra)
  • Jerrabomberra High School (Jerrabomberra)
  • Lake Munmorah High School (Lake Munmorah)
  • Hunter Sports High School (Gateshead)
  • Muswellbrook High School (Muswellbrook)
  • Ballina Coast High School (Ballina)
  • Ulladulla High School (Ulladulla)
  • South Sydney High School (Maroubra)

Queensland

  • Jabiru Community College (Zillmere)
  • Silkwood School (Mt Nathan)

Tasmania

  • Launceston Big Picture School (Launceston)
  • Hobart City High School (New Town)

Western Australia

  • Yule Brook College (Maddington)
  • Meekatharra District High School (Meekatharra)
  • Margaret River Montessori School (Margaret River)
  • Manjimup Senior High School (Manjimup)
  • Rockingham Montessori School (Rockingham)
  • Halls Head College (Halls Head)
  • Northam Senior High School (Northam)
  • Hedland Senior High School (South Hedland)
  • Perth Montessori School (Burswood)
  • Kelmscott Senior High School (Kelmscott)
  • Ngaanyatjarra Lands School (Kalgoorlie)
  • Esperance Anglican Community School (Esperance)
  • South West Community College (Bunbury)
  • Roebourne District High School (Roebourne)
  • Karratha Senior High School (Karratha)

Northern Territory

  • Taminmin College (Humpty Doo)

For a comprehensive and up-to-date list of all schools participating in the Big Picture Learning Australia network, you can visit their official school network page: Big Picture Learning Partnership Schools.