Apply now for the Newcastle Lord Mayor’s Inclusion Scholarship Program

Do you identify as female, part of the LGBTIQA+ community, or are you from a culturally and linguistically diverse background?

The Newcastle Lord Mayor’s Inclusion Scholarship Program empowers diversity and supports the City of Newcastle's commitment to social inclusivity.

This scholarship offers financial support to help local TAFE NSW students successfully complete their studies, launch a career, or start a new business venture.

There are three scholarships available in 2026, each valued at $1,000:

• The Women Empowered Scholarship – for students who identify as female
• The Pride Scholarship – for members of the LGBTIQA+ community
• The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Scholarship – for students from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Applications for the Newcastle Lord Mayor’s Inclusion Scholarship Program close at 5 pm (AEDT) Friday, 20 March 2026.

To apply for a Newcastle Lord Mayor’s Inclusion Scholarship, you must:

• be enrolled at TAFE NSW
• live or study within the Newcastle Local Government Area (LGA)
• demonstrate commitment to your studies and career goals
• demonstrate active involvement in your community (e.g. volunteer positions, community activities or advisory groups)
• demonstrate positive values to represent the City of Newcastle and the Hunter TAFE Foundation
• not hold another scholarship for the same course of equal or greater value.

TAFE NSW offers a range of support services for students, including free and confidential counselling.

We understand that sharing your personal or financial circumstances can be emotionally challenging, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you need support.

To arrange an appointment with a counsellor, call 131 601 and select Option 5, then Option 2.

You can also use this number to access Disability Services or request a referral to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student support.

For more information on the resources available to you, visit the Student Services homepage.

Every year, TAFE NSW awards hundreds of scholarships and study grants.

To find the one that is right for you, visit the TAFE NSW Scholarships homepage.