·         Tasmanian residents who have lost their jobs in the last 12 months, including sole-traders or partners in a partnership who have closed their business, can apply for up to $3,000 in funding under the Rapid Response Skills Initiative (RRSI) to pay for training and occupational licenses.[1] Eligibility criteria apply, and applicants must connect with a Career Connector service provider prior to applying for funding.[2]

Potential funding opportunities for trainees and employees across Australia  

 

Maritime scholarships and traineeships

·         Maritime Employees Training Limited (METL) offers 24-month Integrated Ratings traineeships for training and sea time. Trainees are selected on merit and can complete their formal training at either South Metropolitan TAFE in Fremantle or the Australian Maritime College in Launceston. Upon completion of all requirements, they obtain the MAR30220 Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Integrated Rating) and the (AMSA) issued occupational licence: Integrated Rating Certificate of Proficiency. METL pays the college fees, arranges and pays for accommodation, meals and travel as required, and pays the trainee wages.[3]

·         The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has partnered with the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to offer several maritime scholarships, including[4]:

o   AMSA Vocational Near Coastal Seafaring Scholarship[5] Applications Open May 30 2026 and close June 30 2026.

o   AMSA Sara Bool Women in Maritime Engineering Scholarship[6] Applications closed and likely to open later in the year for 2027 scholarship.

o   AMSA First Year Access Scholarship for Maritime Studies.[7] Applications closed and likely to open later in the year for 2027 scholarship.

·         The Australian Mariners Welfare Society offers maritime scholarships to the children of seafarers or ex-seafarers to study maritime courses at an RTO.[8]  The scholarship awards $3,500 per semester for course fees, living and travel expenses to students who have low or moderate means.

Scholarships for specific groups

·         The Sisters of Charity Foundation Tertiary Scholarship Program offers two scholarships for young people (27 years or under) who have been in out of home care, such as foster care (either currently or in the past).[9] The university scholarship is valued at up to $30,000 and the TAFE scholarship is valued at $5000. The scholarship is not specific to maritime studies.

·         The Pinnacle Foundation offers annual scholarships and mentoring to people between 18-26 years of age who identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and are undertaking education in a public tertiary institution (university or TAFE). Applications are now closed for 2026 scholarships. Applications for scholarships for study in 2027 will open on July 1 2026. [10] The scholarship is not specific to maritime studies.

·         Australian Veterans' Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT) offers annual education scholarships for children and grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enrol in a tertiary course at an Australian university, TAFE or a registered training organisation. Eligibility criteria include being able to demonstrate financial hardship.Applications open on 18 August 2026 and close on the 30 October 2026.[11] The scholarship is not specific to maritime studies.