Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Grant recipients may receive up to $15,000 over three years
- Application opened: 18 May 2026
- Application closes: 30 September 2026
Program objective
The Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships (the scholarships) support NSW apprentices to successfully complete their apprenticeship in their chosen trade.
The scholarships:
- encourage more apprentices to achieve their goals and make a valuable contribution to their local communities
- invest in individual development to support employment outcomes.
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
Applicants must be:
- first-year apprentices approved in NSW, including school-based apprentices (trainees, including school-based trainees, are not eligible)
- experiencing financial and/or personal hardship
- an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- employed by an employer based in NSW
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
Example projects
Not Applicable
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 office education.nsw.gov.au/skills-nsw/contact-us on 13 28 11.
An application must be completed by the apprentice, and if possible, supported by their employer, and a Registered Training Organisation demonstrating aptitude for the trade.
Applicants must include all relevant factual details as specified in the form. Applicants are encouraged to provide as much supporting evidence as possible, including information about the financial and/or personal hardships being faced that are impacting their apprenticeship.
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/bert-evans-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 Services
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 final endorsement.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is November 2026
Support and contact
For all enquiries call your local Training Services 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