Scholarships & gRANTS
Bendigo Bank
2026 Community Bank Willaura and Lake Bolac TAFE/RTO Scholarship (CEF)(T)
2026 Community Bank Willaura & Lake Bolac TAFE/RTO Scholarship – Now Open!
This scholarship is designed to support academically motivated students from Willaura, Lake Bolac, and surrounding communities who have been offered a place at an Australian TAFE or Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in 2026 and are experiencing challenging circumstances.
Key Details:
Application period: 9:00 AM, 1 November 2025 – 5:00 PM, 27 January 2026 (AEDT)
Scholarship value: Up to $5,000 per year for up to 3 years
Eligible expenses: Accommodation, course costs, study-related materials and equipment (other expenses considered case-by-case)
DemoDAIRY Foundation
DemoDAIRY Foundation (DDF) school scholarships.
The DemoDAIRY Foundation (DDF) school scholarships are open to students who plan to proceed with vocational or higher education courses next year which are related to the dairy industry (both farming or in the important supporting service industries) or other livestock industries.
Students should be living in and studying at secondary schools in the Shires of Colac – Otway, Corangamite, Moyne and Glenelg plus the City of Warrnambool.
Young Farmer Upskill and Invest Scholarship
Agriculture Victoria
The Young Farmers Upskill and Invest Scholarship is an opportunity to invest in you and your career.
Up to $10,000 is available per scholarship:
- up to $5000 towards study
- up to $5000 to invest in putting new skills into practice, with professional development, business planning or other on-farm activities.
The scholarship program is designed to be flexible and to fit with the demands and ambitions of young farmers and farm workers.
To be eligible for the scholarship you must:
- be aged between 18 and 40 years at the time of the application close date
- be working in a food and fibre farm business in Victoria at least 3 days per week for the past 3 months
- have at least 2 years of total experience on-farm
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident currently residing in Victoria.
Jeremy Upton Scholarship Program
Honouring Legacy through building the next generation
Established in 2023, RIST’s former chairperson, Jeremy Upton, was passionate about supporting young people in their agricultural training. Through this scholarship program, we aim to honour his legacy and inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Jeremy Upton Scholarships will assist students to meet the costs of tuition fees and other educational expenses which without this support would inhibit their education and training pathways.
Farm Household Allowance Program
Training and Skill development funding
Did you know, if you are receiving the Farm Household Allowance, there is funding available to access training and skill development with a registered RTO ?
Rural Aid
Educational Funding
Are you a farmer who wants to learn more about sustainable agricultural practices?
Rural Aid provides funding to support primary producers, across all agricultural sectors, attendance at impactful education courses.
Reimbursement of 50% of the course cost up to a maximum of $1000 per farmer will be available.
Applications will be accepted until funding for this initiative is exhausted.
