The Public Education Foundation’s Teachers Mutual Bank Victorian Mid-Career Scholarship supports public school teachers in Victoria, who have been teaching for 5-15 years. The scholarship provides $13,000 to spend on approved professional development/learning. The scholarship may be spent on a single professional development course or on a set of professional learning activities.

Teachers Mutual Bank came to life in 1966 when a group of passionate teachers, with the shared vision to give educators and their families’ better financial options, held their first meeting as a credit union. With over 230,000 members and more than $10 billion in assets, Teachers Mutual Bank is one of Australia’s largest mutual banks. However, one thing has remained constant, the Bank’s commitment to supporting its members and creating opportunities for teachers and the education community to flourish.

Before applying for this scholarship, please ensure that you read PEF’s Teachers, Principals and Executives Terms and Conditions.

Basic Eligibility

  • Full-time permanent teacher in a Victorian Government school with 5-15 years teaching experience
  • Be committed to continue as a teacher in the government school system for at least another five years
  • Be available to share your learnings and act as an ambassador for the Public Education Foundation and Teachers Mutual Bank (if applicable) after the professional development experience
  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident

Selection Criteria

  • Evidence of significant potential as a classroom teacher
  • Commitment to the values of public education
  • Capability for leadership into the future
  • Evidence of a candidate’s enthusiasm for furthering their own professional development and education
  • A clearly articulated demonstration of the need for the requested professional development, and their expected outcomes
  • How the knowledge will be implemented in the classroom and shared with colleagues within their school
  • Other personal qualities and circumstances that would enhance the candidate’s suitability for the Teachers Mutual Bank Victorian Mid-Career Scholarship

Selection Process

A selection panel will review all scholarship applications and assess them against the selection criteria. The selection panel will include representatives of the Public Education Foundation, Teachers Mutual Bank and independent experts. After considering all applications, the selection panel will recommend the selected applicants for the approval of the Public Education Foundation’s Board.

The selection panel reserves the right to ask shortlisted applicants to participate in an interview.  

Application Form and Attachments

 To apply for the Teachers Mutual Bank Victorian Mid-Career Scholarship, applicants can access the link to the online portal: PEF-Apply.

 Prior to starting your application, you should compile the following information ready to submit: 

  • Applicant details
    • Full name
    • Phone number
    • Address
    • Email
  • Residence status
  • Month and year you commenced teaching
  • School details
    • Name of school 
    • Address 
    • Principal’s name 
    • Email 
    • Total enrolment
    • Student attendance rate
    • Per cent of Indigenous students 
    • Per cent of EAL/D students 
    • Per cent of students with special needs
  • A personal statement about yourself, your commitment to teaching and to public education (maximum 400 words)
  • What motivates and inspires you to make a difference in, and for, public education (maximum 300 words)
  • A short description of the requested course(s) (maximum 300 words)
  • Why you have chosen to undertake this professional development, what the expected outcomes are and how the course(s) – and scholarship – will contribute to the plans and goals for you and your school (maximum 300 words)
  • Outline your plan for sharing your knowledge with colleagues and implementing your knowledge in the classroom (maximum 200 words)
  • Estimated costs for your PD, including travel costs
  • A reference from your Principal confirming their commitment to supporting your study and releasing you from teaching if necessary to undertake the study (PDF, maximum 400 words)

Notes for Applicants 

  • It is not the intention of this scholarship to be shared by colleagues in regard to participation in the actual specified professional development. Sharing of knowledge with colleagues is expected to occur after the successful recipient has undertaken their learning, study or PD
  • Scholarship funds cannot be used for “back-filling” your position while you undertake any of your proposed PD
  • If you are selected as the successful recipient of this scholarship you will be required to submit a detailed proposal of your intended study, with associated expenditure, for approval prior to the funds being made available to you
  • Funding will be made available from late February 2026 – your requested course(s) must take place after this date
  • Any professional development must be completed within three years of being awarded the scholarship (this may be reviewed in extenuating circumstances)

Note for Principals

  • Please be aware that your reference is a critical component of the application form and your feedback is given considerable weight in the process of panel deliberations. The panels are looking for feedback that goes well beyond simple confirmation that the teacher is employed at your school, and should include what you believe the applicants’ potential is as a teacher and future leader
  • This reference should ideally be provided on letterhead. References must include the referees name, title and be signed and dated

Submitting your Application

Once you have finalised your application and all elements are complete (including references as required) you can submit it for review.

Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm, Friday 10 October 2025.

On completion of your course (or each course, should you be undertaking more than one course as part of your scholarship), you are also required to provide an update to the Public Education Foundation and Teachers Mutual Bank, explaining how you feel you have benefited from your professional development and the scholarship.

For Further Information 

Call the Public Education Foundation on 02 7814 2806 or email us at scholarships@publiceducationfoundation.org.au.