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MastersFully Funded

Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship

Last verified 20 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

Up to AUD $120,000 over 1–3 years for postgraduate study at one of 11 Australian partner universities, plus leadership development and a global study tour.

Provider
Westpac Scholars Trust
Host country
Australia
Deadline
Expected August 20, 2027 (annual cycle)
Region
Oceania

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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply
To be eligible for a 2027 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship you must: Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident; Have completed your first undergraduate degree from 1 January 2021, or will complete your degree by 31 December 2026; Have achieved, or are on track to achieve, an average result of H1 or H2A equivalent or approx 75 WAM; Have chosen to undertake a full-time Masters by Coursework or Research or a PhD at one of our nine participating university partners.
Funding
Fully Funded
Study level
Masters
Deadline
Expected August 20, 2027 (annual cycle)

Key eligibility criteria

  • To be eligible for a 2027 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship you must: Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident; Have completed your first undergraduate degree from 1 January 2021, or will complete your degree by 31 December 2026; Have achieved, or are on track to achieve, an average result of H1 or H2A equivalent or approx 75 WAM; Have chosen to undertake a full-time Masters by Coursework or Research or a PhD at one of our nine participating university partners.

Recorded funding information

  • Fully Funded

About the Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship (2026)

## What it covers\n- Up to AUD $120,000 stipend (tuition + living)\n- Bespoke leadership development program\n- International study experience\n- Mentoring from senior Westpac leaders and alumni\n\n## Recruiter Tips for African Applicants\n- The scholarship rewards "ideas that shape Australia's future" — frame your African background as a strategic asset for Australia's relationship with Africa.\n- Selection is heavily values-based: courage, sense of adventure, drive. Use STAR-format examples.\n- Confirm your target program is offered at a partner university BEFORE applying.\n- International applicants must hold an offer (conditional is fine) before the scholarship closes. ## Eligibility snapshot Open to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and international students (including African nationals) commencing a Master's or PhD at a Westpac Scholars partner university (UNSW, USyd, UQ, Melbourne, Monash, UWA, UTS, Curtin, QUT, RMIT, ANU). ## Required documents - Certified academic transcripts (WAEC / KCSE / NSC + degree certificates where applicable) - Passport bio-data page (valid 6+ months beyond intended visa start) - English proficiency proof (IELTS 6.0–7.0 overall, or TOEFL iBT / PTE Academic / Duolingo where the provider accepts it) - CV/résumé with full education and work history - Personal statement or motivation letter (typically 500–1000 words) - Two academic or professional references on letterhead - Conditional or full Letter of Offer from the host university (where the scholarship is post-offer) - Financial declaration showing ability to cover any costs not funded by the scholarship ## Application steps 1. **Confirm fit** — re-read the official eligibility criteria on the provider's site and check the current intake window. 2. **Apply for admission** — most Australian scholarships require a conditional or full Letter of Offer before scholarship assessment. 3. **Prepare evidence** — gather certified transcripts, English test scores, references, and identity documents as PDFs. 4. **Submit the scholarship application** — through the university's scholarship portal or the dedicated provider link, before the published deadline. 5. **Track outcomes** — most awards are announced 4–10 weeks after the deadline. If awarded, accept formally and request your CoE. 6. **Apply for the Subclass 500 student visa** — book biometrics, complete the medical exam, and lodge the visa with your CoE, OSHC, and proof of funds.

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

  • Fully Funded

Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • To be eligible for a 2027 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship you must: Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident; Have completed your first undergraduate degree from 1 January 2021, or will complete your degree by 31 December 2026; Have achieved, or are on track to achieve, an average result of H1 or H2A equivalent or approx 75 WAM; Have chosen to undertake a full-time Masters by Coursework or Research or a PhD at one of our nine participating university partners.

Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

    How to apply for the Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship 2026

    Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

    1. 1
      Check the provider's process

      Consult https://scholars.westpac.com.au/scholarships/future-leaders-scholarship to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.

    2. 2
      Check eligibility and any requested materials

      Listed eligibility: To be eligible for a 2027 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship you must: Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident; Have completed your first undergraduate degree from 1 January 2021, or will complete your degree by 31 December 2026; Have achieved, or are on track to achieve, an average result of H1 or H2A equivalent or approx 75 WAM; Have chosen to undertake a full-time Masters by Coursework or Research or a PhD at one of our nine participating university partners.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.

    3. 3
      Check dates and next steps

      Listed deadline information: Expected August 20, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

    Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship deadline & application timeline

    Provider deadline information: Expected August 20, 2027 (annual cycle). This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

    1. Planning suggestion: 12 months out

      Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.

    2. Planning suggestion: 6 months out

      If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.

    3. Planning suggestion: 3 months out

      If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.

    4. Planning suggestion: 1 month out

      If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.

    5. Provider deadline
      Expected August 20, 2027 (annual cycle)

      Provider deadline information: Expected August 20, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

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    Editorial verification note

    Editorially reviewed on May 2026. Tuition amount, eligibility, and deadline confirmed against the official provider URL. Re-check the official page before applying — exact closing dates and award amounts can change between cycles.
    Last checked 5/20/2026

    Frequently asked questions

    Who can apply for the Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship?+

    To be eligible for a 2027 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship you must: Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident; Have completed your first undergraduate degree from 1 January 2021, or will complete your degree by 31 December 2026; Have achieved, or are on track to achieve, an average result of H1 or H2A equivalent or approx 75 WAM; Have chosen to undertake a full-time Masters by Coursework or Research or a PhD at one of our nine participating university partners.

    What funding does the Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship offer?+

    Listed funding: Fully Funded. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

    When is the application deadline?+

    Provider deadline information: Expected August 20, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

    What documents do I need to apply?+

    No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

    How do I check the application process?+

    Consult https://scholars.westpac.com.au/scholarships/future-leaders-scholarship to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: To be eligible for a 2027 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship you must: Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident; Have completed your first undergraduate degree from 1 January 2021, or will complete your degree by 31 December 2026; Have achieved, or are on track to achieve, an average result of H1 or H2A equivalent or approx 75 WAM; Have chosen to undertake a full-time Masters by Coursework or Research or a PhD at one of our nine participating university partners.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: Expected August 20, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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