Pat Turner Scholarship frequently asked questions

The Pat Turner Scholarship (the scholarship) is available to high performing Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian Public Service (APS) and eligible PGPA entity employees between APS 4 and SES band 1 (or equivalent), who have a minimum of three years’ service in the APS or Commonwealth public sector. Service does not have to be continuous, or with a single agency or entity.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:

• be a substantive APS4, APS5, APS6, EL1, EL2 or SES Band 1 employee (or equivalent);
• have at least three years’ service; and
• have been admitted into a postgraduate program at ANU or CDU commencing in Semester 2, 2026 or Semester 1, 2027.

For PGPA entity eligibility see the PGPA Act Flipchart and List. Note entities prescribed as Government Business Enterprises under the PGPA Rule and entities that are exempt or partially exempt from government policy orders (section 22 of the PGPA Act) are NOT eligible to participate.
 

Scholars can study any postgraduate program at The Australian National University (ANU) or Charles Darwin University (CDU). This includes Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas, Master by coursework, Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs. 

The Sir Roland Wilson Pat Turner scholarship is a one-to-three year full-pay scholarship.

On award of the scholarship, Scholars enter into a Deed of Agreement with their APS agency or eligible PGPA entity. The Deed provides that scholars will receive financial support from their agency, paid either as salary (at the scholar’s substantive grade) or as an equivalent financial payment. Taxation, superannuation and other employment conditions continue to apply, as per the relevant enterprise agreement. The Australian Public Service Commission provides advice to scholars’ APS agencies and PGPA entities regarding the drafting of the Deeds of Agreement.

The Foundation requires scholars’ agencies to provide scholars with a senior mentor from their agency or entity for the duration of their studies. Mentors play a significant role in ensuring scholars’ work contributes to the agency and the wider APS and Commonwealth public sector. They also help keep scholars connected to their agency during their scholarship and can facilitate access to appropriate development and career advancement opportunities during and after the scholarship.

Scholars have access to a range of professional development and networking activities and events provided by the Foundation. Scholars can also apply to access the following:

• Professional Development Fund: During the scholarship or the first year post completion of the award, all Pat Turner coursework and Higher Degree Research (HDR) scholars can apply to access the Foundation’s Professional Development Fund for up to $5,000 for professional development activities to assist with maintaining cross-institutional links and supporting their successful reintegration to the workplace following study. Scholars must have approval from their employer and the Executive Director of the Foundation before receiving funding.
• Data Access Fund: During their first year of scholarship and prior to their confirmation of candidature, MPhil and PhD scholars can apply to access the Foundation’s Data Access Fund for up to $10,000 to meet costs which may be associated with accessing data from Australian Government agencies or other approved sources. Scholars must complete a Data Feasibility Assessment and gain approval from their employer and the Executive Director of the Foundation before receiving all or part of the funding.
• Travel and Research Fund: PhD scholarship recipients can apply to access the Foundation’s Travel and Research Fund for up to A$40,000 for international or domestic (up to 25 per cent) travel related to their research; or other research related expenses (up to $2,000). The scholar must have the travel component approved by their ANU academic supervisor and the Executive Director of the Foundation before receiving part or all of the funding. The funding can be used for travel expenses, accommodation, and other costs associated with travelling while continuing their PhD program, in accordance with the ANU Travel Policy.

Refer to the ANU Conditions of Award for Higher Degree Research and postgraduate coursework or the CDU Scholarships and Prizes Policy for further information.

 

The length of the scholarship will vary according to which degree scholars undertake. For example, if you choose to study a Master of Economics at ANU, this is a two-year full-time program, so your scholarship would be for two years. PhD scholarships are for three years, with a possible extension of up to 12 months.
 

To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be enrolled at either ANU or CDU. If you are undertaking a PhD/MPhil, you may be able to have members of your academic supervision panel from another university. You will need to discuss this with your panel chair/primary supervisor.
 

The key dates for your Sir Roland Wilson Pat Turner scholarship application depend on when you want to begin your study: Semester 1 or Semester 2. 
Scholarship application and selection stages

No. The Sir Roland Wilson Foundation Scholarships Application Form is used for your agency’s internal endorsement process and for consideration by the Foundation’s selection panel only. 

First you will need to apply separately through the ANU, CDU websites or University Admissions Centre for acceptance into your chosen program.

Then once you have submitted your program application to ANU or CDU, please complete the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation Scholarships Application Form  and send it to your agency or entity Learning and Development or Diversity team. You also need to email your university application number to the Foundation.

Scholars based outside Canberra or Darwin are required to comply with the external status policies of ANU or CDU.

The onus is on the scholar to ensure they understand course requirements prior to application and comply with the relevant policies relating to external study.

For all scholars, including those undertaking higher degree research, external status may still entail minimum attendance requirements in Canberra. Compliance with these policies will require consideration of access to research facilities and resources, risk assessment, regular contact with the supervisory panel; mandatory coursework requirements; and agreement of the Chair of the Supervisory Panel and College.

Beyond Foundation-supported travel to Foundation signature events, external scholars are required to fund their own travel to Canberra to fulfil the requirements of their program.

Further information on external study is available here for ANU higher degree research students. CDU has a flexible approach to online study, which you can read more about on their website.
 

To apply for a PhD or MPhil at ANU, you need to  apply directly to the college or school offering research in the area you want to study. The PhD/MPhil application process can vary depending on the college or school where you apply. An outcome is usually received within three months of applying.

Begin by looking at the general process of applying for a Higher Degree Research program available on the ANU website.

Once you have done this, contact the college/s that offer research in your area of interest, as well as any academic supervisors you want to work with, seeking a conversation.

If you are applying for a PhD or Master by Research program at CDU, you will need to identify your research field and topic and find an academic at CDU who is willing to supervise your work. Information on research themes, potential supervisors and how to apply can be found here on the CDU website.

Be sure to allow enough time to prepare your research application so that it is fully complete and submitted to the relevant university by 31 December or 31 March.
 

For ANU you should apply to the college or school that most closely aligns with your proposed research topic. Your research topic may intersect multiple research schools or colleges, so you may want to contact multiple areas in the university who could have an interest in your topic. For example, your research topic could address a legal question in relation to public policy. This may fit under the ANU School of Regulation and Global Governance, the ANU Law School or the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy. Allow plenty of time to identify where you’d like to study.

For CDU, we recommend you explore the research institutes and centres, as well as the key HDR themes, to identify where your research will best fit, and contact a suitable academic supervisor for a discussion.
 

You can find researcher profiles and contact details on the ANU and CDU websites.

• For supervision at ANU you can browse the researcher database.
• For supervision at CDU you can browse the researcher database.

Allow plenty of time to engage with supervisors.
 

Most PhD, MPhil and Master by Research scholars are guided by a supervisory panel of two or more supervisors. Your primary supervisor should be from the institution where you are studying, but you can approach secondary or other supervisors from different universities.

You will need to check with the college or research centre where you are planning on studying to find out their requirements.
 

You must have identified a primary supervisor, who has agreed to oversee your PhD, MPhil or Master by Research before applying for the scholarship.

Supervisors are an important part of guiding you through both your research and writing your PhD/MPhil. Supervisors will also provide you with feedback on your research proposal, which will help your overall application. 

Even if you are required to complete a large coursework component first before your PhD, MPhil or Master by Research, you must identify your primary supervisor as part of your application.
 

Be sure to discuss your proposed research project with your line manager, senior executive and learning and development teams before applying. As part of your proposal, you may have to obtain permission to access and use APS or agency-specific data. The Foundation encourages you to discuss data access with your agency as early as possible.

The quality of your research proposal will be a factor in determining whether you are offered a scholarship. Your research proposal should be viewed as a starting point for your research project. In your first year of candidature, you will develop a refined research proposal through detailed literature reviews, coursework, and supervisory input.

The Foundation is hosting a Higher Degree Research proposal writing workshop with Professor Inger Mewburn on 29 October 2025. For more information and to register, visit srwfoundation.anu.edu.au/events.

You can find initial guidance about writing a research proposal on the ANU website and on the CDU website.

Professor Inger Mewburn’s blog, The Thesis Whisperer, is also a useful resource.
 

You should discuss your ideas with your supervisor/senior executive to understand if your proposed topic is significant, and aligned to your agency’s strategic interests. Your potential academic supervisor can also help you refine your topic for your application.
 

We recommend starting with the research question and identifying a supervisor. However, you should also start early to build support for your application with key stakeholders at your agency and set expectations to help coordinate timelines of the application process.
 

Pat Turner Master by coursework scholars interested in undertaking a PhD need to apply for further funding under the scholarship through one of the Foundation’s two regular intake processes. You will need to submit your application by the end of the first year of your coursework degree. If successful in being awarded a scholarship for a PhD, you must complete your coursework degree before commencing the PhD.

As with the initial application process for a scholarship, you will need to be accepted into a PhD program at your university, gain endorsement from your APS agency or eligible PGPA entity, and if shortlisted participate in a Foundation selection interview. Selection is not guaranteed. If successful, you will continue to receive financial assistance from your APS agency or PGPA entity for the duration of your scholarship, which will be outlined in an updated Deed of Agreement.
 

You need to identify a course and submit your application through the relevant university application portal:

• ANU: https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/Search
• CDU: https://www.cdu.edu.au/study/essentials/how-to-apply/postgraduate

Once you have applied to the relevant university, you also need to fill in the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation Scholarships Application Form on our website and follow the application process. 
 

The Pat Turner scholarship is for full-time study and research at The Australian National University. Part-time study may be considered on a temporary basis in exceptional circumstances but is not guaranteed. Any changes to your study load need to be approved by the Foundation, your employer and the university.

If you are interested in the scholarship program, but think you may require flexible arrangements, please contact srw.foundation@anu.edu.au to discuss prior to application.
 

Australian National University

For help with your ANU application, you can contact the college or school you’re considering applying to or speak with your potential academic supervisor. You can also contact the Foundation team for general advice on your application.

You can read guides for enrolling on the ANU website. You can also get assistance to enrol by calling the Student Central Team on 02 6125 5111 or by emailing student@anu.edu.au.

Charles Darwin University

For help with your CDU application you can email the research degrees team at CDU or request a call about your application. You can also contact the Foundation team for general advice on your application.

You can read guides for enrolling on the CDU website. You can also get assistance to enrol by calling the Student Central Team on 1800 061 963 or by emailing student.central@cdu.edu.au.
 

The number of scholarships awarded each year varies depending on available funding.
 

Changes to your academic program are not guaranteed after you have been awarded a scholarship. Scholars must seek prior approval from their APS agency or eligible PGPA entity before any change to their academic program.
 

Selection is based on the outcome of the interview in conjunction with the application form, previous academic record, academic supervisor agreement and APS agency or eligible PGPA entity recommendation and endorsement, and on the basis of:

• the overall merits of the applicant
• a record of high performance within the APS and Commonwealth public sector, along leadership potential
• a demonstrated commitment to the pursuit of a career in the APS or Commonwealth public sector
• academic credentials and a capacity to conduct high quality, sustained research (for research candidates)
• identification of an area of research or study that is of priority public interest, of relevance and enduring interest for the APS and Commonwealth public sector.

Yes. You need to meet the three years’ service requirement at the start of the scholarship, not when you apply.
 

All Australian Public Service agencies that employ staff under the Public Service Act 1999 are eligible to participate in the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation scholarship programs – including the Pat Turner scholarship. Some entities under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 are also eligible to participate.

For PGPA entity eligibility see the PGPA Act Flipchart and List. Note entities prescribed as Government Business Enterprises under the PGPA Rule and entities that are exempt or partially exempt from government policy orders (section 22 of the PGPA Act) are NOT eligible to participate.

Australian Defence Force members are not employed under the Public Service Act 1999 nor the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 so they are not eligible to apply for the scholarship programs.

If you are unsure about your APS agency or PGPA entity, please contact the Foundation at srw.foundation@anu.edu.au or your local learning and development area.
 

Yes. Some successful scholars apply more than once for this program. If your scholarship application isn’t successful, you can request feedback after the selection process and refine your application for the following year.
 

Yes. If you have already completed part of your program, you can still apply for the scholarship. If successful, the scholarship would apply for the remainder of your program. 

Applicants are required to provide a recommendation from their employer in their application form.

The Foundation recommends applicants seek a recommendation from a senior executive line manager, with the proviso that the referee is genuinely familiar with their work. For example, a Deputy Secretary (or equivalent) could be a referee for you if they can speak directly to your work performance, leadership qualities and overall suitability for the scholarship. But if your Deputy Secretary is not familiar with your work, it’s better to work with your Branch Head. 

Regardless of level, referees should articulate how your proposal is aligned to and will contribute to agency priorities.
 

If you are a coursework scholar, you should plan to make productive use of teaching breaks at the end of each calendar year between semesters. While you should prioritise wellbeing and preparation for the next semester, teaching breaks are also an opportunity to further develop your professional or academic skills.

Some options for end of year semester breaks include: 

• use of annual leave entitlements under the scholarship
• connection with community and Country
• preparation for research components of a course (eg stakeholder engagement)
• temporary return to service arranged through your APS agency or PGPA entity (for eg.. acting duties or planned short-term tasks)
• enrolment in summer teaching sessions
• use of accrued annual leave or long-service leave if approved by your APS agency or PGPA entity
• leave without pay if approved by your APS agency or PGPA entity
• other arrangements if approved by your APS agency or PGPA entity.

The Foundation will support you to engage closely with your APS agency or PGPA entity to ensure leave and employment arrangements are agreed.

Yes. While on scholarship you will remain an employee of your APS agency or eligible PGPA entity. Your agency will support you to undertake the scholarship by granting you paid leave in accordance with the terms of your agency’s enterprise agreement. The terms and conditions of your employment will continue to apply during this period of leave, including any requirements to comply with agency policy and to maintain a valid security clearance.

Pat Turner scholarships are full-pay scholarships. Scholars receive financial support from their APS agency or eligible PGPA entity, paid either as salary (at the scholar’s substantive grade) or as an equivalent financial payment. Taxation, superannuation and other employment conditions continue to apply, as per the relevant enterprise agreement. The Australian Public Service Commission provides advice to scholars’ APS agencies or PGPA entities regarding the drafting of the Deeds of Agreement.

 

The Sir Roland Wilson Foundation is a statutory body of The Australian National University. A Board consisting of ANU, Charles Darwin University, APS and external representatives is responsible for the governance, management, strategic direction and performance of the Foundation.

You can read more about our Board on our website.
 

The Foundation was established in 1998 by a donation from the Wilson family. The Pat Turner Scholarships are funded through contributions from participating APS agencies, with in-kind support from the ANU and the Foundation. 
 

The daughter of an Arrernte man and a Gurdanji woman, Pat Turner AM was raised in Alice Springs. As CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), she is at the forefront of community efforts to Close the Gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Pat has over 40 years’ experience in senior leadership positions in government, business and academia including being the only Aboriginal person, only woman and longest serving CEO of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Commission (ATSIC).

Amongst her many appointments, she also spent 18 months as Monash Chair of Australian Studies, Georgetown University, Washington DC, and was inaugural CEO of NITV.  Pat is the Coalition of Peaks Convenor and Co-Chair of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap.

Pat holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Canberra where she was awarded the University prize for Development Studies. In 2024 she was awarded Honorary Doctor of Letters (HonLittD) by ANU in recognition for her exceptional contribution to public service, her leadership and advocacy on Indigenous health and her academic achievements in the discipline of Australian studies.

Sir Roland Wilson was a renowned academic, economist and public servant. Born in Tasmania in 1904, Wilson was a Rhodes scholar and completed PhDs at both Oxford University and the University of Chicago. After a short academic career, he joined the Australian Public Service in 1932. He served as Commonwealth Statistician, then and as the Secretary of the Department of Labour and National Service where he contributed to Australia's economic approach to World War II. In 1951, he was appointed Secretary of the Treasury. Wilson remains our longest serving Treasury Secretary with 16 years’ service. Wilson was awarded a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 1941, a Knight Bachelor in 1955, and Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE) in 1965.