Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Grant recipients may receive up to $15,000 over three years
- Application opened: 1 August 2025
- Application closed: 24 October 2025
Program objective
The Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships (the scholarships) support NSW apprentices who are experiencing financial hardship and demonstrate:
- capability for vocational education and training
- a positive attitude and commitment to both workplace and formal training.
The scholarships aim to assist eligible apprentices in successfully completing their trade training. Applications are welcome from apprentices in both metropolitan and regional areas, including school-based apprentices.
This program is administered by Department of Education.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Eligible applicants must:
- be a first-year apprentice in an approved apprenticeship in NSW
- be employed by an employer based in NSW
- be experiencing financial hardship at the time of application
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
School-based apprentices are eligible to apply.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Not Applicable
Who can’t apply
Applicants are ineligible if they are one or more of the following:
- are a second-year or third-year apprentice
- an apprentice outside NSW
- not an Australian citizen or permanent resident
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
- RTO Reference Letter – required
- Employer Reference Letter – required
- Proof of Income – required
- Other Financial Evidence – optional
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Start the application
Application for the scholarship may be made by the apprentice or another person on their behalf.
Applications must be submitted online, via the application portal, which is available on the department’s website: education.nsw.gov.au/ skills-nsw/bert-evans-scholarships
If required, applicants can contact their local Training Services regional office on 13 28 11 to request assistance. Please note that all applications must be completed and submitted through the online application portal.
An application must be endorsed by the apprentice, their employer, and a Registered Training Organisation. Applicant must include all relevant factual details as specified in the form. Applicants are encouraged to provide as much supporting evidence as possible.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the submission meets all eligibility and assessment criteria and includes sufficient detail and supporting documentation for the Scholarship Assessment Panel to assess merit.
Applications must be submitted by the date specified on the department’s website: education.nsw.gov.au/skills-nsw/bertevans-scholarships
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Training Service
Once applications have been received, there will be a structured selection process:
• Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and to verify information provided by the applicant. This may include further contact with the employer, Registered Training Organisation, and/or the applicant.
• Any application found to contain incorrect or misleading information will be deemed ineligible and rejected without further consideration.
All eligible applications will be assessed by the Scholarship Assessment Panel against the assessment criteria. Successful applicants will be recommended to the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education (the Minister) for f inal endorsement.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is November 2025
Support and contact
For all enquiries call your local Training Services Regional Office on 13 28 11 or email your local office as listed below.
Central and Northern Sydney TS.Chatswood@det.nsw.edu.au
Southern and South Western Sydney TS.Bankstown@det.nsw.edu.au
Western Sydney and Blue Mountains TS.Parramatta@det.nsw.edu.au
Hunter and Central Coast TS.Newcastle@det.nsw.edu.au
North Coast and Mid North Coast TS.Lismore@det.nsw.edu.au
New England TS.Tamworth@det.nsw.edu.au
Western NSW TS.Orange@det.nsw.edu.au
Riverina TS.WaggaWagga@det.nsw.edu.au
Illawarra and South East NSW TS.Wollongong@det.nsw.edu.au