The Public Education Foundation connects students, teachers and school leaders with the scholarships, networks and opportunities they deserve – because public good comes from public education.

Every year, hundreds of students across Australia receive a PEF scholarship. Some will use it for a laptop. Some for textbooks. Some to get to school camp when they couldn’t otherwise afford it. But what every one of them receives, beyond the funds, is a signal that someone believes in them. That’s what we do.

Scholarship applications will open between the following dates:

  • Tertiary – Monday 29 June 2026 to Friday 4 September 2026
  • Secondary – Monday 20 July 2026 to Friday 25 September 2026
  • Primary – Monday 3 August 2026 to Friday 9 October 2026
  • Principals and Teachers – Monday 7 September to Tuesday 26 January 2027

What you’ll need to apply

Applications are submitted through PEF-Apply, our online scholarship portal. Before you begin, it’s worth gathering the following:

  • Application form – completed through PEF-Apply
  • Proof of citizenship or permanent residency – required if you were born outside Australia
  • Personal statement – addressing the selection criteria for your chosen scholarship
  • Personal reference – from someone who knows you well (a teacher, coach, community leader, or similar)
  • Principal’s supporting statement – you’ll request this through the portal during your application; your Principal completes it online
  • Most recent school report
  • Parent or guardian consent – a signed form, required for all student applicants

Most applications take around an hour to complete once you have everything ready. We recommend reading the information page for your chosen scholarship before you start.

Apply via PEF-Apply

Read the Scholarship Terms and Conditions

Got a question? Email scholarships@publiceducationfoundation.org.au

What scholarship recipients receive

Every scholarship is different, but all PEF scholarship recipients can expect:

  • Financial support – Funds to cover the real costs of education – school supplies, devices and laptops, tutoring, camps, excursions, incidental fees, and more. Amounts and duration vary by scholarship; some are single-year awards, others provide support across multiple years.

  • Academic and social support – For school-based scholarships, PEF works directly with your teachers and principal to ensure you have the ongoing mentoring and support you need to make the most of your award.

  • Recognition at the Proudly Public! Awards – Every year, scholarship recipients are formally celebrated at the Proudly Public! Awards, held at Sydney Town Hall. It’s a chance to be recognised in front of your family, school, and the broader public education community.

  • For Principals – Recipients of Principal’s scholarships have the opportunity to undertake study at the Harvard Graduate School of Education – a world-class professional experience that very few Australian educators access.

  • For teachers – Teacher scholarship recipients receive dedicated support for professional development, helping passionate educators grow their practice and extend their impact in the classroom.