Students

Students

Target Group

IYLP aims to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth who:

  • through disadvantage are unable to access high performing secondary schools and universities;
  • are generally (but not exclusively) from very remote, remote and provincial Australia; and
  • have a high potential to succeed in educational attainment.

While students from all geographic locations are eligible to apply for IYLP scholarships, the IYLP aims for a national average of at least 60 per cent of students from remote and very remote locations; up to 30 per cent of students from provincial locations; and up to 10 per cent of students from metropolitan locations.

IYLP Student Eligibility

To be eligible for an IYLP scholarship the applicant must:

  • be an Indigenous Australian aged from the beginning of secondary schooling to 24 years of age on the first day of the scholarship;
  • through disadvantage be assessed as eligible for the IYLP;
  • not be in receipt of another secondary school Commonwealth-funded scholarship in the same period as that of the relevant IYLP scholarship; and 
  • be willing to attend an approved IYLP education provider and, with assistance from an IYLP Partnership Broker, be accepted by that education provider.

A waiver must be sought from DEEWR for special circumstances not covered above.
 

Assessment of Disadvantage

Generally an IYLP applicant meets an assessment of disadvantage if he or she is able to demonstrate low socio-economic status either:

  • through being in receipt of a means-tested Commonwealth income support payment (such as ABSTUDY, Youth Allowance or Assistance for Isolated Children); or
  • on the basis of an assessment of low socio-economic status conducted by the Partnership Broker. Partnership Brokers must consider a range of factors which may affect the immediate financial status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students accessing high performing schools and/or universities. Such factors may include geographical isolation, stability of financial status, and family circumstances such as illness which may affect the level of family financial support.

Where means-tested ABSTUDY is not available, the IYLP scholarship may not be enough to cover all fees, boarding, tuition and other support required. Partnership Brokers must then negotiate additional support from any industry partners, student families, school or other external sources towards the student’s costs.