Commonwealth Scholarship Program for Young Australians

Eliza was chosen for the first scholarship intake in March 2020 to develop her passion for community services.

The scholarship awards young Australians up to $5,000 a year, to study a vocational education and training (VET) qualification and $3,000 to complete an internship.

Eliza completed her internship with the Mooroopna Education & Activity Centre (MEAC) in northern Victoria and gained experience in community health, care and development while also studying for a Certificate IV in Community Services.

Eliza said the scholarship has allowed her to learn new skills which will greatly help her when working in the industry.

"It has been amazing to be able to complete an internship through the scholarship. I have also been able to network with people, which has opened up other opportunities for me," Eliza said.

"I have been able to help community members in need. This has been a great way to practice skills learnt in my course and then reflect on how I can better build on them."

The MEAC has recommended the program to other community houses after their positive experience with Eliza. Her supervisor at the centre, Jan Phillips, says she has seen many benefits to having Eliza as an intern.

"Eliza has been able to teach us how to research and apply some of her teachings regarding IT. Eliza has the ability to speak up and voice her questions and provide options that are often a better way for MEAC to do things," Jan said.

The scholarship allowed Eliza to further her knowledge of her studies and has motivated her to complete her Diploma of Community Services in 2021 which may lead to a master's degree in the future.

"I feel that the scholarship has been life-changing. It has enabled me to do many things which I would have been unable to do before. My confidence has greatly increased since receiving the scholarship and undertaking the placement," Eliza said.

"It has broadened my opportunities for the future and helped me realise how passionate I am to obtain work in the community services industry. I feel that I am more likely to obtain employment than I was prior to the scholarship."

Round 3 of the Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Young Australians opens on 26 October 2020 and closes 4 December 2020.